Open AccessAn intrinsic mechanism controls reactivation of neural stem cells by spindle matrix proteins
Author(s) -
Song Li,
Chwee Tat Koe,
Su Ting Tay,
Angie Lay Keng Tan,
Shenli Zhang,
Yingjie Zhang,
Patrick Tan,
Wing-Kin Sung,
Hongyan Wang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
nature communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.559
H-Index - 365
ISSN - 2041-1723
DOI - 10.1038/s41467-017-00172-9
Subject(s) - neural stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , neurogenesis , biology , neural development , transcription factor , microcephaly , stem cell , regulator , neuroscience , gene , genetics
The switch between quiescence and proliferation is central for neurogenesis and its alteration is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as microcephaly. However, intrinsic mechanisms that reactivate Drosophila larval neural stem cells (NSCs) to exit from quiescence are not well established. Here we show that the spindle matrix complex containing Chromator (Chro) functions as a key intrinsic regulator of NSC reactivation downstream of extrinsic insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling. Chro also prevents NSCs from re-entering quiescence at later stages. NSC-specific in vivo profiling has identified many downstream targets of Chro, including a temporal transcription factor Grainy head (Grh) and a neural stem cell quiescence-inducing factor Prospero (Pros). We show that spindle matrix proteins promote the expression of Grh and repress that of Pros in NSCs to govern their reactivation. Our data demonstrate that nuclear Chro critically regulates gene expression in NSCs at the transition from quiescence to proliferation.