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Morphological and functional convergence of visual projection neurons from diverse neurogenic origins in Drosophila

Author

Listed:
  • Rana Naja El-Danaf

    (New York University Abu Dhabi)

  • Katarina Kapuralin

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    University of Rijeka)

  • Raghuvanshi Rajesh

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    New York University)

  • Félix Simon

    (New York University)

  • Nizar Drou

    (New York University Abu Dhabi)

  • Filipe Pinto-Teixeira

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    CNRS)

  • Mehmet Neset Özel

    (New York University
    Stowers Institute for Medical Research)

  • Claude Desplan

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    New York University)

Abstract

The Drosophila visual system is a powerful model to study the development of neural circuits. Lobula columnar neurons-LCNs are visual output neurons that encode visual features relevant to natural behavior. There are ~20 classes of LCNs forming non-overlapping synaptic optic glomeruli in the brain. To address their origin, we used single-cell mRNA sequencing to define the transcriptome of LCN subtypes and identified lines that are expressed throughout their development. We show that LCNs originate from stem cells in four distinct brain regions exhibiting different modes of neurogenesis, including the ventral and dorsal tips of the outer proliferation center, the ventral superficial inner proliferation center and the central brain. We show that this convergence of similar neurons illustrates the complexity of generating neuronal diversity, and likely reflects the evolutionary origin of each subtype that detects a specific visual feature and might influence behaviors specific to each species.

Suggested Citation

  • Rana Naja El-Danaf & Katarina Kapuralin & Raghuvanshi Rajesh & Félix Simon & Nizar Drou & Filipe Pinto-Teixeira & Mehmet Neset Özel & Claude Desplan, 2025. "Morphological and functional convergence of visual projection neurons from diverse neurogenic origins in Drosophila," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56059-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56059-7
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