Authors:
R. Choi; X. Zhao; Z. Dong; S. Guo

Institutes
University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.

Abstract:

Zhao X^1,2 Choi R^1,2 Dong Z¹, Guo S^1*

²Co-first author

^*Corresponding author

Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a conserved and fundamental process in

neurogenesis for generating cellular diversity across both invertebrates and

vertebrates. As the principal neural stem cells (NSCs), radial glia progenitors

(RGP) undergo ACD to generate self-renewing and differentiating daughter cells

in the developing central nervous system. Until now, the cellular and molecular

mechanisms of ACD and subsequent daughter fate choice is not well understood

in vertebrates.

By using zebrafish, we have identified that the cortical polarity regulator

Partitioning defective protein-3 (Par-3) plays a crucial role in the establishment

of ACD through localizing the ubiquitin E3 ligase Mindbomb (Mib), which

activates Notch by ubiquitinating the Notch ligand unequally in the apical

daughter. Using immunocytochemistry, in vivo imaging, and other molecular

genetic and biochemical methods, we are elucidating the nature of Mib

asymmetry and the underlying mechanisms that orchestrate such asymmetry.