Cell Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
42(9), P. 113049 - 113049
Published: Sept. 1, 2023
Locomotion
requires
precise
control
of
the
strength
and
speed
muscle
contraction
is
achieved
by
recruiting
functionally
distinct
subtypes
motor
neurons
(MNs).
MNs
are
essential
to
movement
differentially
susceptible
in
disease,
but
little
known
about
how
acquire
functional
subtype-specific
features
during
development.
Using
single-cell
RNA
profiling
embryonic
larval
zebrafish,
we
identify
novel
conserved
molecular
signatures
for
MN
genes
expressed
both
early
post-mitotic
mature
MNs.
Assessing
development
genetic
mutants,
define
a
program
subtype
specification.
Two
evolutionarily
transcription
factors,
Prdm16
Mecom,
determinants
integral
fast
Loss
prdm16
or
mecom
causes
develop
transcriptional
profiles
innervation
similar
slow
These
results
reveal
diversity
vertebrate
axial
demonstrate
that
specified
through
intrinsic
codes.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 6, 2025
How
specification
mechanisms
that
generate
neural
diversity
translate
into
specific
neuronal
targeting,
connectivity,
and
function
in
the
adult
brain
is
not
understood.
In
medulla
region
of
Drosophila
optic
lobe,
progenitors
different
neurons
a
fixed
order
by
sequentially
expressing
series
temporal
transcription
factors
as
they
age.
Then,
Notch
signaling
intermediate
further
diversifies
progeny.
By
establishing
birth
neurons,
we
found
their
identity
correlates
with
depth
neuropil
targeting
brain,
for
both
local
interneurons
projection
neurons.
We
show
this
identity-dependent
unfolds
early
development
genetically
determined.
leveraging
Electron
Microscopy
reconstruction
fly
determined
synapse
location
lobe
neuropils
find
it
significantly
associated
status.
Moreover,
all
putative
same
predicted
share
similar
location,
indicating
ensembles
layers
encode
visual
functions.
conclusion,
status
can
predict
function,
linking
developmental
patterning
connectivity
functional
features
brain.
PLoS Biology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
23(4), P. e3003120 - e3003120
Published: April 29, 2025
To
explore
how
brains
change
upon
species
evolution,
we
generated
single-cell
transcriptomic
atlases
of
the
central
three
closely
related
but
ecologically
distinct
drosophilids:
generalists
Drosophila
melanogaster
and
simulans
,
noni
fruit
specialist
sechellia
.
The
global
cellular
composition
these
species’
is
well-conserved,
predicted
a
few
cell
types
with
different
frequencies,
notably
perineurial
glia
blood–brain
barrier,
which
validate
in
vivo
Gene
expression
analysis
revealed
that
evolve
at
rates
patterns,
glial
populations
exhibiting
greatest
divergence
between
species.
Compared
to
D.
brain,
gene
patterns
are
more
divergent
than
—despite
their
similar
phylogenetic
distance
from
—indicating
specialization
reflected
structure
function
its
brain.
Expression
changes
include
several
metabolic
signaling
genes,
suggestive
adaptations
novel
source
nutrition.
Additional
on
genes
responsive
dietary
supplement
noni,
pointing
as
sites
for
both
physiological
genetic
adaptation
this
fruit.
Our
represent
first
comparative
datasets
“whole”
provide
comprehensive
foundation
studying
evolvability
nervous
systems
well-defined
ecological
framework.
Neural Development,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
17(1)
Published: Aug. 24, 2022
The
mechanisms
that
generate
neural
diversity
during
development
remains
largely
unknown.
Here,
we
use
scRNA-seq
methodology
to
discover
new
features
of
the
Drosophila
larval
CNS
across
several
key
developmental
timepoints.
We
identify
multiple
progenitor
subtypes
-
both
stem
cell-like
neuroblasts
and
intermediate
progenitors
change
gene
expression
development,
report
on
candidate
markers
for
each
class
progenitors.
a
pool
quiescent
in
newly
hatched
larvae
show
they
are
transcriptionally
primed
respond
insulin
signaling
pathway
exit
from
quiescence,
including
relevant
components
adjacent
glial
cell
type.
"temporal
transcription
factors"
(TTFs)
expressed
at
different
times
lineages.
Our
work
identifies
many
type
specific
genes
candidates
functional
roles,
generates
insight
into
differentiation
trajectory
neurons.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
16
Published: Oct. 16, 2023
Behavioral
sex
differences
primarily
derive
from
the
sexually
dimorphic
organization
of
neural
circuits
that
direct
behavior.
In
Drosophila
melanogaster
,
sex-determination
genes
fruitless
(
fru
)
and
doublesex
dsx
play
pivotal
roles
in
producing
sexual
dimorphism
for
Here
we
examine
three
groups
expressing
and/or
i.e.,
P1
cluster,
aSP-f
aSP-g
cluster
pairs
aDN
which
causal
relationships
between
behavior
characteristics
are
best
illustrated.
aSP-f,
clusters
represent
examples
where
or
switches
cell-autonomously
their
neurite
structures
female-type
male-type.
Processed
sensory
inputs
impinging
on
these
neurons
may
result
outputs
encode
different
valences,
culminate
execution
distinct
according
to
sex.
contrast,
is
male-specific
as
its
female
counterpart
undergoes
-driven
cell
death,
lowers
threshold
induction
behaviors.
We
propose
products
genes,
terminal
selectors
neuronal
wiring,
induce
maintain
sex-typical
chromatin
state
at
postembryonic
stages,
orchestrating
transcription
effector
shape
single
neuron
govern
survival
death.
BioEssays,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
46(5)
Published: April 9, 2024
Abstract
The
compound
eyes
of
insects
exhibit
stunning
variation
in
size,
structure,
and
function,
which
has
allowed
these
animals
to
use
their
vision
adapt
a
huge
range
different
environments
lifestyles,
evolve
complex
behaviors.
Much
our
knowledge
eye
development
been
learned
from
Drosophila
,
while
visual
adaptations
behaviors
are
often
more
striking
better
understood
studies
other
insects.
However,
recent
insects,
including
bees,
beetles,
butterflies,
have
begun
address
this
gap
by
revealing
the
genetic
developmental
bases
differences
morphology
key
new
aspects
structure
function.
Furthermore,
technical
advances
facilitated
generation
high‐resolution
connectomic
data
insect
species
that
enhances
understanding
information
processing,
impact
changes
processes
on
evolution
behavior.
Here,
we
review
breakthroughs
propose
future
integrated
research
function
systems
within
among
represents
great
opportunity
understand
remarkable
diversification
vision.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
16(1)
Published: Jan. 15, 2025
The
Drosophila
visual
system
is
a
powerful
model
to
study
the
development
of
neural
circuits.
Lobula
columnar
neurons-LCNs
are
output
neurons
that
encode
features
relevant
natural
behavior.
There
~20
classes
LCNs
forming
non-overlapping
synaptic
optic
glomeruli
in
brain.
To
address
their
origin,
we
used
single-cell
mRNA
sequencing
define
transcriptome
LCN
subtypes
and
identified
lines
expressed
throughout
development.
We
show
originate
from
stem
cells
four
distinct
brain
regions
exhibiting
different
modes
neurogenesis,
including
ventral
dorsal
tips
outer
proliferation
center,
superficial
inner
center
central
this
convergence
similar
illustrates
complexity
generating
neuronal
diversity,
likely
reflects
evolutionary
origin
each
subtype
detects
specific
feature
might
influence
behaviors
species.
Here
authors
developmental
origins
Columnar
Neurons
brain,
tracing
them
regions.
highlights
diversity.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 29, 2025
ABSTRACT
Connecting
neurons
into
functional
circuits
requires
the
formation,
maturation,
and
plasticity
of
synapses.
While
advances
have
been
made
in
identifying
individual
genes
regulating
synapse
development,
molecular
programs
orchestrating
their
action
during
circuit
integration
remain
poorly
understood.
Here,
we
take
a
multiomic
approach
to
reconstruct
gene
regulatory
networks
(GRNs),
comprising
transcription
factors
(TFs),
regions,
predicted
target
genes,
hippocampal
granule
cells
(GCs).
We
find
dynamic
code,
with
early
late
postnatal
GRNs
cell
morphogenesis
organization
plasticity,
respectively.
Our
results
predict
sequential
regulations,
early-active
TFs
delaying
activation
later
putative
synaptic
targets.
Using
loss-of-function
approach,
identify
Bcl6
as
regulator
pre-
postsynaptic
structural
Smad3
modulator
inhibitory
transmission,
GCs.
Together,
these
findings
highlight
key
GC
development.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
92, P. 103035 - 103035
Published: May 6, 2025
A
classical
view
of
cell
type
relies
on
a
definite
set
stable
properties
that
are
critical
for
brain
functions.
Single-cell
technologies
led
to
an
extensive
multimodal
characterization
nervous
systems
and
perhaps
achieved
one
Santiago
Ramón
y
Cajal's
dreams:
unveil
comprehensive
the
composition.
While
global
analyses
structures
highlight
degree
mesoscale
stereotypy,
finer-scale
resolution
composition
shows
significant
variance
in
essential
neural
cellular
phenotypes,
including
morphology,
gene
expression,
electrophysiology,
connectivity.
This
highlights
need
novel
conceptualization
definition
"cell
type."
The
challenge
modern
classification
is
thus
integrate
various
distinct
into
unifying
descriptor.
