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First published online October 10, 2008

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A window on neuronal specification

Even the simplest animal nervous system contains numerous cell types. In Drosophila, such diversity arises through neural precursors (called neuroblasts, NBs) dividing asymmetrically and generating a stereotyped sequence of neuronal and glial progeny. This process is controlled by a set of sequentially expressed regulators, the temporal identity factors, which specify a neuron's fate, depending on when it was `born' during neurogenesis. In addition, timing factors, such as Seven up, define how long each temporal identity factor is expressed and thus the number of each type of neuron produced. Now, Tran and Doe use a newly characterized NB lineage to show that two late temporal identity factors, Pdm and Castor, also function as timing factors, while Hunchback and Kruppel act as early temporal identity factors, as in other previously studied lineages (see p. 3491). These findings highlight the importance of lineage-specific cues in modulating the function of temporal identity and timing genes. For more on the temporal control of neuronal diversity, see the Hypothesis by Gould and colleagues on p. 3481.

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Related articles in Development:

Temporal control of neuronal diversity: common regulatory principles in insects and vertebrates?

John Jacob, Cédric Maurange, and Alex P. Gould
Development 2008 135: 3481-3489. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

Pdm and Castor close successive temporal identity windows in the NB3-1 lineage

Khoa D. Tran and Chris Q. Doe
Development 2008 135: 3491-3499. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?