Lateral inhibition mediated by the Drosophila neurogenic gene Delta is enhanced by proneural proteins

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1994-10, Vol.91 (21), p.10139-10143
• Main Authors: Kunisch, M, Haenlin, M, Campos-Ortega, J.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal proteins; Animals; Antibodies; Base Sequence; Binding sites; cell differentiation; Cellular biology; delta gene; dl gene; DNA Primers; DNA-binding proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Drosophila - embryology; Drosophila - genetics; Drosophila melanogaster; Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology; Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology; embryogenesis; Embryos; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes; Genes, Insect; Genetic mutation; genetic regulation; Genomics; Homozygote; Insect Hormones - biosynthesis; Insect Hormones - genetics; Insects; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Membrane Proteins - biosynthesis; Membrane Proteins - genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Mother cells; Mutagenesis; n gene; Nerve Tissue Proteins - biosynthesis; nervous system; Nervous System - cytology; Nervous System - embryology; Neuroblasts; Neurology; Neurons; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - physiology; notch gene; Plasmids; Polymerase Chain Reaction; promoter regions; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Proteins; Restriction Mapping; structural genes; transcription (genetics); Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.21.10139

Cells in the neuroectoderm of Drosophila become either neural or epidermal progenitors. A critical threshold concentration of proneural gene products in a given cell causes it to develop as a neuroblast. The proteins encoded by the genes Delta (Dl) and Notch (N) act as the source and the receptor, respectively, of inhibitory signals sent by the neuroblast to neighboring cells that prevent these cells from also adopting the neural fate. We show here that proneural gene products activate transcription of Delta in the neuroectoderm by binding to specific sites in its promoter. This transcriptional activation enhances lateral inhibition and thus helps ensure that cells in the vicinity of prospective neuroblasts will themselves become epidermoblasts.