Formation of Neuronal Circuits by Interactions between Neuronal Populations Derived from Different Origins in the Drosophila Visual Center

Publication date: Available online 7 April 2016
Source:Cell Reports
Author(s): Takumi Suzuki, Eri Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Nakai, Masako Kaido, Rie Takayama, Makoto Sato
A wide variety of neurons, including populations derived from different origins, are precisely arranged and correctly connected with their partner to establish a functional neural circuit during brain development. The molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the production and arrangement of these neurons have been obscure. Here, we demonstrate that cell-cell interactions play an important role in establishing the arrangement of neurons of different origins in the Drosophila visual center. Specific types of neurons born outside the medulla primordium migrate tangentially into the developing medulla cortex. During their tangential migration, these neurons express the repellent ligand Slit, and the two layers that the neurons intercalate between express the receptors Robo2 and Robo3. Genetic analysis suggests that Slit-Robo signaling may control the positioning of the layer cells or their processes to form a path for migration. Our results suggest that conserved axon guidance signaling is involved in the interactions between neurons of different origins during brain development.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Suzuki et al. show that cell-cell interactions play an important role in establishing the precise arrangement of neurons of different origins in the Drosophila visual center. They suggest that the mechanism is conserved from invertebrates to vertebrates and involves repulsive Slit-Robo signaling.


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