Persistent larval sensory neurones are required for the normal development of the adult sensory afferent projections in Drosophila

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Description/Abstract

We have tested the hypothesis that larval neurones guide
growth of adult sensory axons in Drosophila. We show that
ablation of larval sensory neurones causes defects in the
central projections of adult sensory neurones. Spiralling
axons and ectopic projections indicate failure in axon
growth guidance.

We show that larval sensory neurones are
required for peripheral pathfinding, entry into the CNS
and growth guidance within the CNS. Ablation of subsets
of neurones shows that larval sensory neurones serve
specific guidance roles. Dorsal neurones are required for
axon guidance across the midline, whereas lateral neurones
are required for posterior growth. We conclude that larval
sensory neurones pioneer the assembly of sensory arrays in
adults.