The projection of sensory neurons in the central nervous system of Drosophila: choice of the appropriate pathway

Identified thoracic sensory neurons were backfilled with peroxidase in wild-type Drosophila and in the mutants wingless, Contrabithorax, scute, bithorax postbithorax, and Hairy-wing, and their projection in the central nervous system was analyzed. The sensory neurons which have been studied can be divided into four classes as they project along one of four general pathways. All the neurons which underly a given type of sensory structure in a given developmental compartment follow specifically one of these pathways. However, within at least two of the four classes, the details of the projection can vary according to the particular region of the epidermis from which the neuron derives, and according to the position along the anteroposterior axis. It is proposed that the choice of a general pathway depends on the developmental history of the neuron, while the detail of each projection depends on its position.SCOPUS: ar.j