The tumor suppressors Brat and Numb regulate transit-amplifying neuroblast lineages in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: In both vertebrates and insects, neurons typically arise from neural stem cells or terminally dividing intermediate progenitors. Here, we describe another mode of neurogenesis where neural stem cells generate secondary precursors that undergo multiple rounds of self-renewing transit-amplifying divisions. We identify the Posterior Asense-Negative (PAN) neuroblasts, which do not express the transcription factors Asense or Prospero. PAN neuroblasts rely on the segregating determinants Numb and Brat to generate smaller, secondary neuroblasts that in turn give rise to ganglion mother cells (GMCs) and neurons throughout larval development. In brat or numb mutants, misspecified secondary neuroblasts are unable to produce differentiated progeny and initiate tumor-like overgrowth. In prospero mutan

SUBMITTER: Bowman SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2988195 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature