Neurogenesis in the insect central nervous system

Abstract

Recent advances provide an increasingly sophisticated understanding of Drosophila CNS development. First, genes have been identified that specify unique neuroblast cell fates. Second, neuroblasts have been found to use a novel mechanism for asymmetric localization of proteins into one daughter cell at mitosis. Third, a gene controlling the choice between glial/neuronal determination has been discovered. And finally, new cell-lineage methods are being used to determine the entire lineage of identified neuroblasts, including axon projections and synaptic contacts.