Clonal analysis shows that the main downstream components of the Wg pathway, including Frizzled, Dishevelled and Armadillo, are autonomously required for ISC self-renewal.

• 果蝇在遗传学上的优势将有助于进一步解析肠道干细胞的调节机制及肠道肿瘤等疾病的发生机制。