Open AccessSegmentally homologous neurons acquire two different terminal neuropeptidergic fates in the Drosophila nervous system
Author(s) -
Hugo Gabilondo,
Rubio-Ferrera Irene,
María LosadaPérez,
Delia del Saz,
Yolanda León,
Isabel Molina,
Laura Torroja,
Douglas W. Allan,
Jonathan BenitoSipos
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0194281
Subject(s) - ventral nerve cord , hox gene , biology , nervous system , drosophila (subgenus) , homologous chromosome , neuropeptide , drosophila melanogaster , neuroscience , neural development , mechanism (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , gene , genetics , receptor , philosophy , epistemology , transcription factor
In this study, we identify the means by which segmentally homologous neurons acquire different neuropeptide fates in Drosophila . Ventral abdominal (Va)-neurons in the A1 segment of the ventral nerve cord express DH31 and AstA neuropeptides (neuropeptidergic fate I) by virtue of Ubx activity, whereas the A2-A4 Va-neurons express the Capa neuropeptide (neuropeptidergic fate II) under the influence of abdA . These different fates are attained through segment-specific programs of neural subtype specification undergone by segmentally homologous neurons. This is an attractive alternative by which Hox genes can shape Drosophila segmental neural architecture (more sophisticated than the previously identified binary “to live” or “not to live” mechanism). These data refine our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in diversifying neuronal identity within the central nervous system.