Anterior CNS expansion driven by brain transcription factors.

Abstract

During CNS development, there is prominent expansion of the anterior region, the brain. In <i>Drosophila</i>, anterior CNS expansion emerges from three rostral features: (1) increased progenitor cell generation, (2) extended progenitor cell proliferation, (3) more proliferative daughters. We find that <i>tailless</i> (mouse <i>Nr2E1/Tlx</i>), <i>otp/Rx/hbn</i> (<i>Otp/Arx/Rax</i>) and <i>Doc1/2/3</i> (<i>Tbx2/3/6</i>) are important for brain progenitor generation. These genes, and <i>earmuff</i> (<i>FezF1/2</i>), are also important for subsequent progenitor and/or daughter cell proliferation in the brain. Brain TF co-misexpression can drive brain-profile proliferation in the nerve cord, and can reprogram developing wing discs into brain neural progenitors. Brain TF expression is promoted by the PRC2 complex, acting to keep the brain free of anti-proliferative and repressive action of Hox homeotic genes. Hence, anterior expansion of the <i>Drosophila</i> CNS is mediated by brain TF driven 'super-generation' of progenitors, as well as 'hyper-proliferation' of progenitor and daughter cells, promoted by PRC2-mediated repression of Hox activity.