High impact information on zpg

• The zpg phenotype is novel, and we used this phenotype to genetically dissect the process of stem cell maintenance and differentiation [1].
• Here we show that the gap junction protein Zero population growth (Zpg) is required for germ cell differentiation in the Drosophila ovary [1].
• The zero population growth (zpg) locus of Drosophila encodes a germline-specific gap junction protein, Innexin 4, that is required for survival of differentiating early germ cells during gametogenesis in both sexes [2].
• Adult zpg-null gonads contain small numbers of early germ cells, resembling stem cells or early spermatogonia or oogonia, but lack later stages of germ cell differentiation [2].

Anatomical context of zpg

• Animals with a null mutation in zpg are viable but sterile and have tiny gonads [2].

References