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First published online January 25, 2008

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Stochastic fates tipped by Notch

Although many cell fates are determined by extracellular signals, some fates occur stochastically, potentially to help generate cell-type diversity. Notch (N) signalling, previously implicated in stochastic fate choices, is now shown by Miller et al. to act, somewhat uniquely, by exposing a hidden stochastic fate choice in a photoreceptor cell, which it then tips towards a particular fate (see p. 707). The ommatidia of the Drosophila eye each contain eight photoreceptor cells, R1-R8. During development, R1/R6/R7 precursors become R1/R6's unless N is activated in them to specify them as R7. N is believed to promote R7 fate by repressing the orphan nuclear hormone receptor Svp. But Miller et al. report that svp mutant R1/R6 precursors adopt - stochastically and with equal likelihood - either an R7 or R8 fate, and express both an R7 and R8 marker (later expressing only one). The authors conclude that mutual negative feedback between the R7/R8 programs results in the stochastic adoption of either fate, but that, in parallel, N represses the R8 marker sens to promote the R7 fate.

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Related articles in Development:

Loss of seven-up from Drosophila R1/R6 photoreceptors reveals a stochastic fate choice that is normally biased by Notch

Adam C. Miller, Heather Seymour, Christopher King, and Tory G. Herman
Development 2008 135: 707-715. [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?