Notch regulates the switch from symmetric to asymmetric neural stem cell division in the Drosophila optic lobe

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.051250
• Publication Date: 2010-08-05T01:47:43Z
• Authors: Boris Egger; Katrina S. Gold; Andrea H. Brand
• Keywords: Neuroepithelial cell; Neuroblast; Asymmetric cell division

The proper balance between symmetric and asymmetric stem cell division is crucial both to maintain a population of cells prevent tumorous overgrowth. Neural in the Drosophila optic lobe originate within polarised neuroepithelium, where they divide symmetrically. Neuroepithelial are transformed into asymmetrically dividing neuroblasts precisely regulated fashion. This fate transition highly reminiscent switch from neuroepithelial radial glial developing mammalian cerebral cortex. To identify molecules that mediate transition, we microdissected compared their transcriptional profile with similarly obtained neuroblasts. We find genes encoding members Notch pathway expressed cells. show mutant clones extruded neuroepithelium undergo premature neurogenesis. A wave proneural gene expression thought regulate timing neuroblast. transiently suppresses activity cells, inhibition triggers symmetric, proliferative division, asymmetric, differentiative division.