miR-31mutants reveal continuous glial homeostasis in the adultDrosophilabrain.
The study of adult neural cell production has concentrated on neurogenesis. The mechanisms controlling adult gliogenesis are still poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence for a homeostatic process that maintains the population of glial cells in theDrosophilaadult brain. Flies lacking microRNAmiR-31astart adult life with a normal complement of glia, but transiently lose glia due to apoptosis.miR-31aexpression identifies a subset of predominantly gliogenic adult neural progenitor cells. Failure to limit expression of the predicted E3 ubiquitin ligase, Rchy1, in these cells results in glial loss. After an initial decline in young adults, glial numbers recovered due to compensatory overproduction of new glia by adult progenitor cells, indicating an unexpected plasticity of theDrosophilanervous system. Experimentally induced ablation of glia was also followed by recovery of glia over time. These studies provide evidence for a homeostatic mechanism that maintains the number of glia in the adult fly brain.
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore City, Singapore lynettefoo@gmail.com scohen@sund.ku.dk.
Lynette Caizhen
0000-0001-6351-8374
LC
Foo
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore City, Singapore.
Shilin
S
Song
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore City, Singapore lynettefoo@gmail.com scohen@sund.ku.dk.
Stephen Michael
0000-0003-2858-9163
SM
Cohen
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*
D035683:MicroRNAs
astrocyte; glia; microRNA; neurogenesis; stem cell