Nanos-mediated repression of hid protects larval sensory neurons after a global switch in sensitivity to apoptotic signals. Author Balpreet Bhogal, Amara Plaza-Jennings, Elizabeth Gavis Publication Year 2016 Type Journal Article Abstract Dendritic arbor morphology is a key determinant of neuronal function. Once established, dendrite branching patterns must be maintained as the animal develops to ensure receptive field coverage. The translational repressors Nanos (Nos) and Pumilio (Pum) are required to maintain dendrite growth and branching of Drosophila larval class IV dendritic arborization (da) neurons, but their specific regulatory role remains unknown. We show that Nos-Pum-mediated repression of the pro-apoptotic gene head involution defective (hid) is required to maintain a balance of dendritic growth and retraction in class IV da neurons and that upregulation of hid results in decreased branching because of an increase in caspase activity. The temporal requirement for nos correlates with an ecdysone-triggered switch in sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli that occurs during the mid-L3 transition. We find that hid is required during pupariation for caspase-dependent pruning of class IV da neurons and that Nos and Pum delay pruning. Together, these results suggest that Nos and Pum provide a crucial neuroprotective regulatory layer to ensure that neurons behave appropriately in response to developmental cues. Keywords Animals, Dendrites, Drosophila Proteins, Larva, RNA-Binding Proteins, Sensory Receptor Cells, Signal Transduction, Protein Binding, Mutation, Phenotype, 3' Untranslated Regions, Mitochondria, Caspases, Up-Regulation, Apoptosis, Cytoprotection, Ecdysone, Neuropeptides, Pupa Journal Development Volume 143 Issue 12 Pages 2147-59 Date Published 2016 Jun 15 ISSN Number 1477-9129 DOI 10.1242/dev.132415 Alternate Journal Development PMCID PMC4920170 PMID 27256879 PubMedPubMed CentralGoogle ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML