Functions of the segment polarity genes midline and H15 in Drosophila melanogaster neurogenesis

M Buescher, M Tio, G Tear, P M Overton, W J Brook, W Chia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Drosophila melanogaster ventral nerve cord derives from neural progenitor cells called neuroblasts. Individual neuroblasts have unique gene expression profiles and give rise to distinct Clones of neurons and glia. The specification of neuroblast identity provides a cell intrinsic mechanism which ultimately results in the generation of progeny which are different from each other. Segment polarity genes have a dual function in early neurogenesis. within distinct regions of the neuroectoderm, they arc required both for neuroblast formation and for the specification of neuroblast identity. Previous studies of segment polarity gene function largely focused on neuroblasts that arise within the posterior part of the segment. Here we show that the segment polarity gene midline is required for neuroblast formation in the anterior-most part of the segment. Moreover, midline contributes to the specification of anterior neuroblast identity by negatively regulating the expression of Wingless and positively regulating the expression of Mirror. In the posterior-most part of the segment, midline and its paralog, H15, have partially redundant functions in the regulation of the NB marker Eagle. Hence, the segment polarity genes midline and H15 play an important role in the development of the ventral nerve cord in the anterior- and posterior-most part of the segment. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)418 - 429
Number of pages12
JournalDevelopmental Biology
Volume292
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2006

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