Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that the transcription factor Myc plays a central role in the elimination of damaged germline cells. Using the well-established P-M hybrid dysgenesis model in Drosophila, the researchers showed that damaged germline cells downregulate Myc to be eliminated. When Myc was overexpressed, the cells survived but were not of sufficient quality to develop into adulthood. These findings help understand how germline integrity is preserved.
