Abstract
Two classes of glial cells are found in the embryonic Drosophila CNS, midline glial cells and lateral glial cells. Midline glial development is triggered by EGF-receptor signalling, whereas lateral glial development is controlled by the gcm gene. Subsequent glial cell differentiation depends partly on the pointed gene. Here we describe a novel component required for all CNS glia development. The tramtrack gene encodes two zinc-finger proteins, one of which, ttkp69, is expressed in all non-neuronal CNS cells. We show that ttkp69 is downstream of gcm and can repress neuronal differentiation. Double mutant analysis and coexpression experiments indicate that glial cell differentiation may depend on a dual process, requiring the activation of glial differentiation by pointed and the concomitant repression of neuronal development by tramtrack.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Central Nervous System / growth & development
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
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Drosophila / embryology*
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Drosophila / genetics
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Drosophila / growth & development*
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
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Embryonic Induction
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Genetic Complementation Test
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Mutation
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Neuroglia / physiology*
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Neuroglia / ultrastructure
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Neurons / physiology
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Neuropeptides / physiology
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Phenotype
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
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Repressor Proteins*
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Trans-Activators / physiology
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Transcription Factors
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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GCM protein, Drosophila
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Neuropeptides
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Transcription Factors
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pnt protein, Drosophila
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ttk protein, Drosophila