Coordinate control of synaptic-layer specificity and rhodopsins in photoreceptor neurons.

ABSTRACT: How neurons make specific synaptic connections is a central question in neurobiology. The targeting of the Drosophila R7 and R8 photoreceptor axons to different synaptic layers in the brain provides a model with which to explore the genetic programs regulating target specificity. In principle this can be accomplished by cell-type-specific molecules mediating the recognition between synaptic partners. Alternatively, specificity could also be achieved through cell-type-specific repression of particular targeting molecules. Here we show that a key step in the targeting of the R7 neuron is the active repression of the R8 targeting program. Repression is dependent on NF-YC, a subunit of the NF-Y (nuclear factor Y) transcription factor. In the absence of NF-YC, R7 axons terminate in the same lay

SUBMITTER: Morey M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2727603 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature