Single-cell RNA sequencing of escort cells (ECs) in Drosophila ovaries

Escort cells (ECs) in the Drosophila ovaries showed important functions in modulate germline cysts differentiation, as germline cysts differentiation niche, yet their subtypes and functions to germline cysts were still little known. Through single cell RNA-sequencing analysis, here we provide a comprehensive analysis of cellular diversity and functions of ECs in adult Drosophila germariums. We identify 2 EC subtypes with different gene expression and functions, further tested through EC subtypes-specific gene RNAi. Our single-cell data should greatly facilitate understanding of the functions of ECs as differentiation niche. Overall design: FACS sort ECs through C587-GAL4> UAS-GFP line and perform 10X genomics single cell sequencing. Raw data was further processed by Seurat3 algorithm and EC subtypes were visualized by generating a UMAP plot.