Transcription factor control of dendrite targeting via combinatorial cell-surface codes

Transcription factors are central commanders specifying cell fate, morphology, and physiology while cell-surface proteins execute these commands through interaction with cellular environment. In developing neurons, it is presumed that transcription factors control wiring specificity through regulation of cell-surface protein expression. However, the number and identity of cell-surface protein(s) a transcription factor regulates remain largely unclear[1][1],[2][2]. Also unknown is whether a transcription factor regulates the same or different cell-surface proteins in different neuron types to specify their connectivity. Here we use a lineage-defining transcription factor, Acj6 (ref. [3][3]), to investigate how it controls precise dendrite targeting of Drosophila olfactory projection neurons (PNs). Quantitative cell-surface proteomic profiling of wild-type and acj6 mutant PNs in intact developing brains and a proteome-informed genetic screen identified PN surface proteins that execute Acj6-regulated wiring decisions. These include canonical cell adhesion proteins and proteins previously not associated with wiring, such as the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo—whose channel activity is dispensable for its wiring function. Comprehensive genetic analyses revealed that Acj6 employs unique sets of cell-surface proteins in different PN types for dendrite targeting. Combinatorial expression of Acj6 wiring executors rescued acj6 mutant phenotypes with higher efficacy and breadth than expression of individual executors. Thus, a key transcription factor controls wiring specificity of different neuron types by specifying distinct combinatorial expression of cell-surface executors. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3