Self-cleaning process is not needed in germline stem cells but is required in supporting cells to keep them healthy in the fruit fly ovary

Autophagy flux in female Drosophila germline stem cells (GSCs) is low and dependent on the Atg5 gene.

• Germline stem cells exhibit low levels of autophagy flux.
• The core autophagy gene Atg5 is essential for maintaining autophagy in GSCs.
• Nutrient stress does not affect the presence of GSCs in the niche despite low autophagy.
• Disruption of autophagy in cap cells leads to loss of both cap cells and GSCs during aging.
• Reduced autophagy impairs signaling necessary for GSC self-renewal from cap cells.
• Autophagy is crucial for the long-term survival of cap cells, which support GSC maintenance.

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