Abstract
Formation of mechano-sensory organs in Drosophila involves the selection of neural precursor cells (SOPs) mediated by the classical Notch pathway in the process of lateral inhibition. Here we show that the subsequent cell type specifications rely on distinct subsets of Notch signaling components. Whereas E(spl) bHLH genes implement SOP selection, they are not required for later decisions. Most remarkably, the Notch signal transducer Su(H) is essential to determine outer but not inner cell fates. In contrast, the Notch antagonist Hairless, thought to act upon Su(H), influences strongly the entire cell lineage demonstrating that it functions through targets other than Su(H) within the inner lineage. Thereby, Hairless and numb may have partly redundant activities. This suggests that Notch-dependent binary cell fate specifications involve different sets of mediators depending on the cell type considered.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
-
Cell Differentiation
-
Cell Lineage
-
DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
-
Drosophila / genetics
-
Drosophila / growth & development*
-
Drosophila Proteins*
-
Insect Proteins / genetics
-
Insect Proteins / metabolism*
-
Juvenile Hormones / metabolism
-
Membrane Proteins / metabolism
-
Mutation
-
Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
-
Receptors, Notch
-
Repressor Proteins / genetics
-
Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
-
Sense Organs / cytology
-
Sense Organs / growth & development*
-
Signal Transduction
-
Transcription Factors*
Substances
-
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
-
DNA-Binding Proteins
-
DX protein, Drosophila
-
Drosophila Proteins
-
E(spl)mdelta-HLH protein, Drosophila
-
Insect Proteins
-
Juvenile Hormones
-
Membrane Proteins
-
N protein, Drosophila
-
Nuclear Proteins
-
Receptors, Notch
-
Repressor Proteins
-
Su(H) protein, Drosophila
-
Transcription Factors
-
mam protein, Drosophila
-
numb protein, Drosophila
-
H protein, Drosophila