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Activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase triggers a glial-to-neuronal cell-fate switch in an insect neuroblast lineage

Condron, Barry G. and Zinn, Kai (1995) Activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase triggers a glial-to-neuronal cell-fate switch in an insect neuroblast lineage. Current Biology, 5 (1). pp. 51-61. ISSN 0960-9822. doi:10.1016/S0960-9822(95)00016-9. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20151223-104135477

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Abstract

Background: The grasshopper median neuroblast (MNB) is a multipotent progenitor cell that produces neurons and midline glia in distinct temporal phases. The MNB generates pioneer neurons during its first few divisions, and then switches to production of midline glial precursors. After the glia have been produced, the MNB reverts to generating neurons. We have investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the transition from glia production back to neuron production in the MNB lineage. Results We report evidence that this second transition in the MNB lineage is triggered by the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). PKA is a heterodimer of a catalytic (PKA-C) and a cAMP-binding regulatory (R) subunit. The R subunit dissociates from PKA-C on binding cAMP, and free PKA-C then translocates into the nucleus. Nuclear localization of PKA-C can thus be used as an indicator of PKA activation within a cell. We have found that PKA-C is translocated into the nucleus at the time of the second switch in the MNB lineage. When PKA is prematurely activated in the MNB by microinjection of purified PKA-C, or by pharmacological agents that elevate intracellular cAMP levels, the glial-to-neuronal cell-fate switch takes place prematurely. Inhibition of PKA activity by microinjection of a peptide inhibitor, or by a non-hydrolyzable cAMP analog, blocks the glial-to-neuronal switch. Conclusion Our results imply that elevation of cAMP in the MNB, and the resultant activation of PKA, is likely to be a trigger for the glial-to-neuronal cell-fate transition within the MNB lineage.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(95)00016-9 DOIArticle
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982295000169PublisherArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Zinn, Kai0000-0002-6706-5605
Additional Information:© 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd. Received: 3 October 1994; revised 2 November 1994; Accepted: 2 November 1994. We thank Daniel Kalderon, Kalpana White, and Michael Bastiani for antibodies; Scott Fraser, Sarah Fashena, and Kaushiki Menon for comments on the manuscript; Gilles Laurent for the use of his grasshopper colony; and the Caltech Biological Imaging Facility for use of confocal microscopy equipment. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health RO1 grant #NS28182, a McKnight Scholars Award, and a Pew Scholars Award to K.Z. B.G.C. was supported by Del Webb and NIH postdoctoral fellowships.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NIHRO1 NS28182
McKnight FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Pew FoundationUNSPECIFIED
Del Webb FoundationUNSPECIFIED
NIH Postdoctoral FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
Issue or Number:1
DOI:10.1016/S0960-9822(95)00016-9
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20151223-104135477
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20151223-104135477
Official Citation:Barry G. Condron, Kai Zinn, Activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase triggers a glial-to-neuronal cell-fate switch in an insect neuroblast lineage, Current Biology, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 1995, Pages 51-61, ISSN 0960-9822, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(95)00016-9. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982295000169)
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:63178
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:23 Dec 2015 19:21
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 23:12

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