How prolonged expression of Hunchback, a temporal transcription factor, re-wires locomotor circuits

eLife

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[1] Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States;Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States;Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States;

关键词: heterochronic;    neuromuscular junction;    neuroblast;    motor neurons;    temporal patterning;    temporal identity;    D. melanogaster;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.46089

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

10.7554/eLife.46089.001How circuits assemble starting from stem cells is a fundamental question in developmental neurobiology. We test the hypothesis that, in neuronal stem cells, temporal transcription factors predictably control neuronal terminal features and circuit assembly. Using the Drosophila motor system, we manipulate expression of the classic temporal transcription factor Hunchback (Hb) specifically in the NB7-1 stem cell, which produces U motor neurons (MNs), and then we monitor dendrite morphology and neuromuscular synaptic partnerships. We find that prolonged expression of Hb leads to transient specification of U MN identity, and that embryonic molecular markers do not accurately predict U MN terminal features. Nonetheless, our data show Hb acts as a potent regulator of neuromuscular wiring decisions. These data introduce important refinements to current models, show that molecular information acts early in neurogenesis as a switch to control motor circuit wiring, and provide novel insight into the relationship between stem cell and circuit.

【 授权许可】

CC BY