Open AccessDrosophila Fezf functions as a transcriptional repressor to direct layer-specific synaptic connectivity in the fly visual system
Author(s) -
Ivan J. Santiago,
Dawei Zhang,
Arunesh Saras,
Nicholas Pontillo,
C. Shan Xu,
Marc E. Rothenberg,
Matthew T. Weirauch,
Meeta Mistry,
David D. Ginty,
Matthew Y. Pecot,
Jing Peng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2025530118
Subject(s) - biology , neuroscience , transcription factor , repressor , neuropil , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , central nervous system
Significance Functionally relevant neuronal connections are often organized within discrete layers of neuropil to ensure proper connectivity and information processing. While layer-specific assembly of neuronal connectivity is a dynamic process involving stepwise interactions between different neuron types, the mechanisms underlying this critical developmental process are not well understood. Here, we investigate the role of the transcription factor dFezf in layer selection within theDrosophila visual system, which is important for synaptic specificity. Our findings show that dFezf functions as a transcriptional repressor governing the precise temporal expression pattern of downstream genes, including other transcription factors required for proper connectivity. Layer-specific assembly of neuronal connectivity in the fly visual system is thus orchestrated by precise, temporally controlled transcriptional cascades.