Patterning the Drosophila Embryonic Central Nervous System: Establishing Neuroblast-Specific Gene Expression and Identity

The Drosophila embryonic central nervous system (CNS) develops from the ventral neuroectoderm, which produces a stereotyped array of neural precursor cells, called neuroblasts. Neuroblasts are unique, based on their position in the embryo, the genes they express, and the number and type of neuronal progeny they produce. A fundamental problem in the development of any animal is how to generate cell diversity. Studying the mechanisms of neuroblast differentiation will help to understand cellular differentiation at a broad level. In this thesis, I present new information on how neuroectoderm position translates into neuroblast-specific gene expression. Along the antero-posterior axis, a group of segment polarity genes---hedgehog, wingless, engrailed, and gooseberry---act in the neuroectoderm and in neuroblasts to regulate the spatial pattern of huckebein, a gene required for the proper development of identified neurons and glia. Along the dorso-ventral axis, the ventral nervous system defective gene is expressed in ventral neuroectoderm and neuroblasts bordering the midline and specifies the identity of these cells. Thus, neuroblast identity is specified in the neuroectoderm by the combined action of antero-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning genes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Microbiology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• McDonald, Jocelyn Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Doe, Chris Q.

• Biology, Genetics

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9912318

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86738