Apical size and deltaA expression predict adult neural stem cell decisions along lineage progression.

ABSTRACT: The maintenance of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult brain depends on their activation frequency and division mode. Using long-term intravital imaging of NSCs in the zebrafish adult telencephalon, we reveal that apical surface area and expression of the Notch ligand DeltaA predict these NSC decisions. deltaA-negative NSCs constitute a bona fide self-renewing NSC pool and systematically engage in asymmetric divisions generating a self-renewing deltaA^neg daughter, which regains the size and behavior of its mother, and a neurogenic deltaA^pos daughter, eventually engaged in neuronal production following further quiescence-division phases. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of Notch, DeltaA, and apical size further show that the prediction of activation frequency by apical size and the asymmetric divisions of deltaA^neg NSCs are functionally independent of Notch. These results provide dynamic qualitative and quantitative readouts of NSC lineage progression in vivo and support a hierarchical organization of NSCs in differently fated subpopulations.

SUBMITTER: Mancini L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10854430 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature