Analysis of axon guidance in the embryonic central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster

The goal of developmental neurobiology is to understand how a complex nervous system is wired. During development of the central nervous system (CNS) neural connections are assembled in a highly stereotyped fashion. How do axons find their targets with such accuracy? We know that axon migration is direct by attractive and repulsive guidance cues located in the extracellular environment. While many guidance molecules have been identified, we are only just beginning to understand the mechanisms of axon guidance.; In order to identify additional genes involved in axon guidance and CNS development we performed a misexpression screen. Using P-elements and the UAS/GAL4 system, transcription of endogenous genes was induced in the embryonic CNS. Misexpression phenotypes were then identified immunohistochemically with two monoclonal antibodies: BP102, a general axon marker, and 1D4, which labels a subset of axon pathways. Over 4100 individual P-element insertion lines were screened. Twenty-five insertions corresponding to 18 genes resulted in misexpression phenotypes. Genes involved in axon guidance, embryonic patterning, and cell cycle regulation were identified. Several transcription factors that have not been previously implicated in CNS development were isolated and characterized as well. The identification of these transcription factors is intriguing since little is known about the transcriptional regulation of axon guidance genes.; Additionally, we have studied the regulation of the previously identified guidance molecule Commissureless (Comm). Comm is necessary for proper axon guidance at the CNS midline of the Drosophila embryo. In the absence of Comm, commissural axons fail to cross the midline and instead make ispilateral projections on their respective sides of the midline. Using mosaic analysis, we have identified a cell autonomous neuronal requirement for Comm. Clones containing mutant alleles of comm formed commissural projections at a statistically significant reduced frequency when compared to wild type clones. This result suggests that regulation of Comm expression in neurons is critical for Comm's function in axon guidance at the CNS midline. These studies have both advanced the understanding of the regulation of Comm, and have identified new potential regulators of guidance molecules.