Science·· 11 hours agoPickScore81
Frequency encoding regulates cell type composition in the small intestine.
In brief
The study found that Hes1 protein is expressed in an oscillatory manner in the small intestinal epithelium, with frequencies forming a gradient along the crypt-villus axis that regulates the ratio of absorptive to secretory cells. Using a microfluidic organoid system to modulate Notch oscillation frequency, the team showed that frequency itself encodes cell fate information; cell cycle phase and Wnt and Notch pathway activity both influence Hes1 oscillation.
Why it matters
The paper used an endogenous Hes1 fluorescent reporter and a microfluidic small intestinal organoid system to link Notch oscillation frequency to epithelial cell fate proportions.
Source: Science