The Drosophila ventral nerve cord is comprised of numerous neuronal lineages, each derived from a stereotypically positioned neuroblast (NB). At the embryonic stage the unique identities of each NB, and several of their neuronal progeny, are well characterized by spatial and temporal expression patterns of molecular markers. These patterns of expression are not preserved at the larval stage and thus the identity of adult-specific lineages remains obscure. Recent clonal analysis using MARCM has identified 24 adult-specific lineages arising from thoracic NBs at the larval stage. In this study, we have explored a role for the Delta protein in development of the post-embryonic Drosophila ventral nerve cord. We find that Delta expression identifies 7 of the 24 adult-specific lineages of the thoracic ganglia by being highly enriched in clusters of newly born post-mitotic neurons and their neurite bundles. The Delta lineages constitute the majority of bundles projecting to the ventral neuropil, consistent with a role in processing leg sensory information. Targeted knockdown of Delta in neurons using RNAi results in significantly decreased leg chemosensory response and a relatively unaffected leg mechanosensory response. Delta RNAi knockdown in Delta lineages also gives a more diffuse bundle terminal morphology while the overall path-finding of neurite bundles is unaffected. We also identify a male-specific Delta lineage in the terminal abdominal ganglia, implicating a role for Delta in development of sexually dimorphic neural networks. Examples of Delta-expressing neurites contacting Notch-expressing glia are also seen, but are not common to all Delta lineages. Altogether, these data reveal a fundamental pattern of Delta expression that is indicative of an underlying developmental program that confers identity to adult lineage neurons.

Muscle & NerveVolume 9, Issue 3 p. 269-269 Book Review Methods for serum-free culture of neuronal and lymphoid cells. By D. W. Barnes, D. A. Sirbasku, G. H. Sato, Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York, NY, 1984 $ 39.50 Carson Cornbrooks PhD, Carson Cornbrooks PhD Burlington, VTSearch for more papers by this author Carson Cornbrooks PhD, Carson Cornbrooks PhD Burlington, VTSearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1986 https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.880090314AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume9, Issue3March 1986Pages 269-269 RelatedInformation

Muscle & NerveVolume 9, Issue 3 p. 268-269 Book Review Methods for preparation of media, supplements, and substrata for serum-free animal cell culture. By D. W,. Banes, D. A. Sirbasu, G. H. Sato, Alan R. Liss, Inc., New York, NY, 1984. $49.50 Carson Cornbrooks PhD, Carson Cornbrooks PhD Burlington, VTSearch for more papers by this author Carson Cornbrooks PhD, Carson Cornbrooks PhD Burlington, VTSearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1986 https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.880090313Citations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume9, Issue3March 1986Pages 268-269 RelatedInformation