Introduction

In this story we describe how Polycomb group (PcG) proteins regulate proper eye specification by repressing alternative fate choices. Here is the abstract of the manuscript:

Abstract

How different cells and tissues commit to and determine their fates has been a central question in developmental biology since the seminal embryological experiments conducted by Wilhelm Roux and Hans Driesch in sea urchins and frogs. Here, we demonstrate that Polycomb group (PcG) proteins maintain Drosophila eye specification by suppressing the activation of alternative fate choices. The loss of PcG in the developing eye results in a cellular reprogramming event in which the eye is redirected to a wing fate. This fate transformation occurs with either the individual loss of Polycomb proteins or the simultaneous reduction of the Pleiohomeotic repressive complex and Pax6. Interestingly, the requirement for retinal selector genes is limited to Pax6, as the removal of more downstream members does not lead to the eye-wing transformation. We also show that distinct PcG complexes are required during different developmental windows throughout eye formation. These findings build on earlier observations that the eye can be reprogrammed to initiate head epidermis, antennal and leg development.

Further Reading

If you are interested, please read the full story that is freely available here. Moreover, the featured cover image of the issue was taken by Kasun Buddika. See here.

Cite this work

Zhu J, Ordway AJ, Weber L, Buddika K, Kumar JP. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins and Pax6 cooperate to inhibit in vivo reprogramming of the developing Drosophila eye. Development. 2018 Apr 4;145(7):dev160754. doi: 10.1242/dev.160754. PMID: 29530880; PMCID: PMC5963869.