Stem cell systems regulate tissue development and maintenance. The germline stem cell system is essential for animal reproduction, controlling both the timing and number of progeny through its influence on gamete production. In this review, we first draw general comparisons to stem cell systems in other organisms, and then present our current understanding of the germline stem cell system in Caenorhabditis elegans In contrast to stereotypic somatic development and cell number stasis of adult somatic cells in C. elegans, the germline stem cell system has a variable division pattern, and the system differs between larval development, early adult peak reproduction and age-related decline. We discuss the cell and developmental biology of the stem cell system and the Notch regulated genetic network that controls the key decision between the stem cell fate and meiotic development, as it occurs under optimal laboratory conditions in adult and larval stages. We then discuss alterations of the stem cell system in response to environmental perturbations and aging. A recurring distinction is between processes that control stem cell fate and those that control cell cycle regulation. C. elegans is a powerful model for understanding germline stem cells and stem cell biology.

中文翻译：

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秀丽隐杆线虫种系干细胞系统的生物学。

干细胞系统调节组织发育和维持。生殖干细胞系统对于动物繁殖至关重要，通过影响配子产生来控制后代的时间和数量。在这篇综述中，我们首先与其他生物体中的干细胞系统进行一般比较，然后介绍我们目前对秀丽隐杆线虫生殖干细胞系统的理解，与秀丽隐杆线虫成体体细胞的刻板体细胞发育和细胞数量停滞相反生殖干细胞系统具有可变的分裂模式，并且该系统在幼虫发育、早期成虫高峰繁殖和与年龄相关的衰退之间存在差异。我们讨论了干细胞系统的细胞和发育生物学，以及控制干细胞命运和减数分裂发育之间关键决定的 Notch 调节遗传网络，因为它发生在成虫和幼虫阶段的最佳实验室条件下。然后我们讨论干细胞系统因环境扰动和衰老而发生的变化。控制干细胞命运的过程和控制细胞周期调节的过程之间反复出现的区别。线虫是了解生殖干细胞和干细胞生物学的强大模型。