Molecular Profiling of Neural Stem Cells in Drosophila melanogaster

The developing Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system is populated by asymmetrically dividing neural stem cells called neuroblasts, derived from ectodermal or neuroepithelial precursors. Neuroblasts divide asymmetrically, self-renewing the neuroblast and producing a smaller ganglion mother cell (GMC). Subsequent division of the GMC produces two postmitotic neurons or glial cells. In this chapter, we outline a method for the molecular profiling of neural precursors in the D. melanogaster optic lobe, including labeling, extraction, and processing for transcriptome analysis. We have used this strategy to compare the expression profiles of neuroblasts with their neuroepithelial precursors and have identified key genes that regulate the developmental transition from a symmetrically dividing to an asymmetrically dividing stem cell.