title: Reversible commitment of neural and epidermal progenitor cells during embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Cell-cell interactions are involved in mediating developmental fate. An example is the decision of the neuroectodermal cells of Drosophila to develop as neural or epidermal progenitors, where cellular interactions participate in the process of acquisition of either cell fate. The results of heterochronic cell transplantations we describe here suggest that both neuroblasts and epidermoblasts are not irreversibly committed to a particular developmental fate. Rather, they retain the ability to interact with neighbouring cells and, under our experimental conditions, are capable of switching their fate during a relatively long period of time, i.e. until the end of embryonic stage 11.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Entwicklungsphysiologie, Universität Köln, GyrhofstraΒe 17, 5000, Köln 41, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Technau
authors.affiliation: Institut für Entwicklungsphysiologie, Universität Köln, GyrhofstraΒe 17, 5000, Köln 41, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Institut für Entwicklungsphysiologie, Universität Köln, GyrhofstraΒe 17, 5000, Köln 41, Germany.
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Campos-Ortega
keywords: Cell commitment; Cell interactions; Drosophila; Neurogenesis