How circuit wiring is specified is a key question in developmental neurobiology. Previously, using the Drosophila motor system as a model, Meng and colleagues found the classic temporal transcription factor Hunchback acts in NB7-1 neuronal stem cells to control the number of NB7-1 neuronal progeny form functional synapses on dorsal muscles (Meng et al., 2019). However, it is unknown to what extent control of motor neuron-to-muscle synaptic partnerships is a general feature of temporal transcription factors. In a new paper published in the eLife journal, Meng, a CMB graduate student, and colleagues in the Heckscher and Carrillo labs perform additional temporal transcription factor manipulations—prolonging expression of Hunchback in NB3-1, as well as precociously expressing Pdm and Castor in NB7-1. They use confocal microscopy, calcium imaging, and electrophysiology to show that in every manipulation there are permanent alterations in neuromuscular synaptic partnerships.
Temporal transcription factors determine circuit membership by permanently altering motor neuron-to-muscle synaptic partnerships
