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Genetic transformation of structural and functional circuitry rewires the Drosophila brain. [Drosophila Facility]

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TitleGenetic transformation of structural and functional circuitry rewires the Drosophila brain. [Drosophila Facility]
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsSen S, Cao D, Choudhary R, Biagini S, Wang JW, Reichert H, VijayRaghavan K
JournalElife
Volume3
Date Published2014 Dec 29
ISSN2050-084X
KeywordsAnimals, Brain, Cell Lineage, Drosophila, Morphogenesis, Neurons
Abstract

Acquisition of distinct neuronal identities during development is critical for the assembly of diverse functional neural circuits in the brain. In both vertebrates and invertebrates, intrinsic determinants are thought to act in neural progenitors to specify their identity and the identity of their neuronal progeny. However, the extent to which individual factors can contribute to this is poorly understood. We investigate the role of orthodenticle in the specification of an identified neuroblast (neuronal progenitor) lineage in the Drosophila brain. Loss of orthodenticle from this neuroblast affects molecular properties, neuroanatomical features, and functional inputs of progeny neurons, such that an entire central complex lineage transforms into a functional olfactory projection neuron lineage. This ability to change functional macrocircuitry of the brain through changes in gene expression in a single neuroblast reveals a surprising capacity for novel circuit formation in the brain and provides a paradigm for large-scale evolutionary modification of circuitry.

DOI10.7554/eLife.04407
Alternate JournalElife
PubMed ID25546307
PubMed Central IDPMC4307181
Grant ListR01 DC009597 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States
R01 DK092640 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States