Negative regulation for neural patterning in the Drosophila eye

Abstract

The Drosophila compound eye is a complex sensory system derived from retinal primordium called the eye imaginal disc. Differentiation of the retinal primordium into different cell types is a key to the visual function of the eye. The fly eye has a simple structure with only a few cell types and a precise organization with a repetitive pattern, thus serving as a favorable model for studying the genetic basis of retinal patterning. An important early event in retinal differentiation is the generation and assembly of neural precursor cells. A number of genes and multiple signaling pathways participate in this process. Many of these genes are involved in promoting the neural differentiation. However, retinal neurogenesis also requires a number of negative factors. Thus, early patterning in the eye is established by interactions between these yin-yang gene activities. This chapter will describe the function of these genetic factors, focusing more on negative regulators that help develop the precise pattern of the adult eye.