title: Twin-spot MARCM to reveal the developmental origin and identity of neurons.
abstract: A comprehensive understanding of the brain requires the analysis of individual neurons. We used twin-spot mosaic analysis with repressible cell markers (twin-spot MARCM) to trace cell lineages at high resolution by independently labeling paired sister clones. We determined patterns of neurogenesis and the influences of lineage on neuron-type specification. Notably, neural progenitors were able to yield intermediate precursors that create one, two or more neurons. Furthermore, neurons acquired stereotyped projections according to their temporal position in various brain sublineages. Twin-spot MARCM also permitted birth dating of mutant clones, enabling us to detect a single temporal fate that required chinmo in a sublineage of six Drosophila central complex neurons. In sum, twin-spot MARCM can reveal the developmental origins of neurons and the mechanisms that underlie cell fate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, USA.
authors.forename: Hung-Hsiang
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chun-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tzumin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C515167:Chinmo protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins