A requirement for Notch in the genesis of a subset of glial cells in the Drosophila embryonic central nervous system which arise through asymmetric divisions.
In the Drosophila central nervous system (CNS) glial cells are known to be generated from glioblasts, which produce exclusively glia or neuroglioblasts that bifurcate to produce both neuronal and glial sublineages. We show that the genesis of a subset of glial cells, the subperineurial glia (SPGs), involves a new mechanism and requires Notch. We demonstrate that the SPGs share direct sibling relationships with neurones and are the products of asymmetric divisions. This mechanism of specifying glial cell fates within the CNS is novel and provides further insight into regulatory interactions leading to glial cell fate determination. Furthermore, we show that Notch signalling positively regulates glial cells missing (gcm) expression in the context of SPG development.
Developmental Neurobiology Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 117609 Singapore.
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Udolph
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Rath
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Chia
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C102805:GCM protein, Drosophila; D019476:Insect Proteins; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C497759:N protein, Drosophila; D009479:Neuropeptides; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; C085316:mam protein, Drosophila; C060606:numb protein, Drosophila