Oscillations of Delta-like1 regulate the balance between differentiation and maintenance of muscle stem cells

Abstract

The cell source and dynamics of Notch ligands during the regulation of muscle stem cells is unclear. Here, the authors show that the Notch ligand Dll1 has to oscillate in order to control the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of muscle stem cells, with Hes1 acting as transcriptional pacemaker for the oscillatory network.