Asymmetric Notch activity by differential inheritance of lysosomes in human neural stem cells

Symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions are conserved strategies for stem cell expansion and the generation of more committed progeny, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that in human neural stem cells (NSCs), lysosomes are asymmetrically inherited during mitosis. We show that lysosomes contain Notch receptors and that Notch activation occurs the acidic lysosome environment. The lysosome asymmetry correlates with the expression of the Notch target gene HES1 and the activity of Notch signaling in the daughter cells. Furthermore, an asymmetry of lysosomes and Notch receptors was also observed in a human organoid model of brain development with mitotic figures showing preferential inheritance of lysosomes and Notch receptor in that daughter cell remaining attached to the apical membrane. Thus, this study suggests a previously unknown function of lysosomes as a signaling hub to establish a bias in Notch signaling activity between daughter cells after an asymmetric cell division of human NSCs.

Automated summary

In human neural stem cells, lysosomes are asymmetrically inherited during mitosis and contain Notch receptors. Notch activation occurs in the acidic lysosome environment. The asymmetry of lysosomes correlates with Notch signaling activity in daughter cells.