Extensive and diverse patterns of cell death sculpt neural networks in insects

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.59566
• Publication Date: 2020-09-07T14:00:25Z
• Authors: Sinziana Pop; Chin-Lin Chen; Connor J Sproston; Shu Kondo; Pavan Ramdya; Darren W Williams
• Keywords: Neuroblast; Lineage (genetic); Biological neural network; Nerve net

Changes to the structure and function of neural networks are thought underlie evolutionary adaptation animal behaviours. Among many developmental phenomena that generate change programmed cell death (PCD) appears play a key role. We show occurs continuously throughout insect neurogenesis happens soon after neurons born. Mimicking an role for increasing numbers, we artificially block PCD in medial neuroblast lineage Drosophila melanogaster , which results production ‘undead’ with complex arborisations distinct neurotransmitter identities. Activation these recordings activity behaving animals demonstrate they functional. Focusing on two dipterans have lost flight during evolution reveal reductions populations interneurons likely caused by increased development. Our findings suggest modulation death-based patterning could novel network configurations.