How germ cell nucleolar organization is controlled cell-autonomously and by the intestine

Animal reproduction relies on the generation of sperm and oocytes by germline stem cells, whose development and function depend on protein synthesis. All living organisms employ ribosomes for translation, and nucleoli provide a microenvironment for ribosome production. Nucleoli are organised into multi-layered compartments via liquid-liquid phase separation; however, evidence suggests that undefined mechanisms other than phase separation control nucleolar organisation. Nucleolar organisation is dynamically regulated in response to stress and diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms and resulting molecular/cellular consequences remain poorly understood. We discovered conserved molecule F23B12.7/CEBPZ controls nucleolar organisation cell-autonomously, and the intestine controls germ cell nucleolar organisation via clathrin-mediated vesicles in C. elegans. In this project, we aim to decipher these two mechanisms in C. elegans. F23B12.7 project 1. Determine whether F23B12.7 regulates nucleolar organisation through regulating transcription, translation, ribosome biogenesis /transport, or via interactions with proteins, DNAs or RNAs? 2. Define how alterations in nucleolar organisation influence cell fate, development and fertility. Clathrin project Investigating how the intestine regulates germ-cell nucleolar organisation by: 1. Characterising the vesicle-trafficking pathways in the intestine. 2. Identifying the signals released from the intestine. 3. Elucidating how germ cells sense these signals and the molecular pathways that control nucleolar organisation and govern cell fate and development.