Profiling of RNA Pol II occupancy in adult Drosophila terminal tracheal cell using TaDa (Targeted DamID) in context of homeostasis or damaged intestine

Cell-type specific transcriptional profiling is key to understanding cell fate specification, function and adaptation. This is particularly advantageous for studying specific cell types from complex tissues. In this study, we have used ‘TaDa’ (Targeted DamID), a technique that enables profiling of rare cell populations or cells difficult to isolate by conventional methods. Furthermore, TaDa profiling occurs in vivo and isn’t subject to artefacts arising from disruption of the tissues and cell sorting. Here, we profile the genome-wide binding of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in terminal tracheal cells (TTCs) that are tightly associated with intestinal tissue from adult Drosophila. We compare terminal tracheal transcriptome from control to regenerative intestine in adult fly. Our data reveal new tracheal intrinsic mechanisms that are essential, in this gut-trachea communication, for regulating intestinal stem cell proliferative activity in context of damage. Our study represents the first analysis of terminal tracheal cell transcriptional profiling in context of homeostasis and regenerative adult intestine and provide new insight into the regulatory programs that underlie the complex interactions between gut-neighbourhood.