Abstract
Timing of Drosophila neuroblast decommissioning is controlled in a lineage-specific manner. Following a prepupal ecdysone pulse, the ecdysone receptor and mediator complex cause neuroblasts to shrink. Shrinking is followed by nuclear accumulation of Prospero and cell cycle exit. Only mushroom body (MB) neuroblasts escape early pupal termination. Here, we demonstrate that the opposing temporal gradients of Imp and Syp RNA-binding proteins that govern temporal fate also regulate neuroblast decommissioning. The Imp gradient declines slower in MB neuroblasts so they still express Imp when it is absent from others. The presence of Imp in MB neuroblasts prevents decommissioning partly through inhibiting the mediator complex. Moreover, a timely induction of Imp can protect many non-MB neuroblasts from aging. We also show that the increasing Syp gradient permits Prospero accumulation and neuroblast termination. Together our results reveal that progeny temporal fate and progenitor decommissioning are co-regulated in protracted neuronal lineages.
