A repressor-decay timer for robust temporal patterning in embryonic Drosophila neuroblast lineages.

ABSTRACT: Biological timers synchronize patterning processes during embryonic development. In the Drosophila embryo, neural progenitors (neuroblasts; NBs) produce a sequence of unique neurons whose identities depend on the sequential expression of temporal transcription factors (TTFs). The stereotypy and precision of NB lineages indicate reproducible TTF timer progression. We combine theory and experiments to define the timer mechanism. The TTF timer is commonly described as a relay of activators, but its regulatory circuit is also consistent with a repressor-decay timer, where TTF expression begins when its repressor decays. Theory shows that repressor-decay timers are more robust to parameter variations than activator-relay timers. This motivated us to experimentally compare the relative importanc

SUBMITTER: Averbukh I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303102 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature