Abstract
The intermingling of larval functional neurons with adult-specific neurons during metamorphosis contributes to the development of the adult Drosophila brain. To better understand this process, we characterized the development of a dorsal cluster (DC) of Atonal-positive neurons that are born at early larval stages but do not undergo extensive morphogenesis until pupal formation. We found that Baboon(Babo)/dSmad2-mediated TGF-beta signaling, known to be essential for remodeling of larval functional neurons, is also indispensable for proper morphogenesis of these adult-specific neurons. Mosaic analysis reveals slowed development of mutant DC neurons, as evidenced by delays in both neuronal morphogenesis and atonal expression. We observe similar phenomena in other adult-specific neurons. We further demonstrate that Babo/dSmad2 operates autonomously in individual neurons and specifically during the late larval stage. Our results suggest that Babo/dSmad2 signaling prior to metamorphosis may be widely required to prepare neurons for the dynamic environment present during metamorphosis.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Activin Receptors, Type I / genetics
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Activin Receptors, Type I / metabolism*
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Activin Receptors, Type II / metabolism
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Activins / metabolism
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Animals
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
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Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
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Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
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Larva / growth & development
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Larva / metabolism
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Metamorphosis, Biological
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Morphogenesis
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Mutation
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
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Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
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Signal Transduction
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Smad2 Protein / genetics
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Smad2 Protein / metabolism*
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Smad2 Protein
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Activins
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
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Activin Receptors, Type I
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Activin Receptors, Type II
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Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
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put protein, Drosophila