Lrig1 controls intestinal stem-cell homeostasis by negative regulation of ErbB signalling

Lrig1, a transmembrane glycoprotein, has previously been shown to inhibit ErbB signalling. Jensen and colleagues show that Lrig1 controls the size of the intestinal stem-cell niche by modulating the amplitude of ErbB signalling. Thus, ErbB activation acts in concert with Wnt, Notch and Bmpr inhibition, to modulate stem-cell proliferation in the crypt.