Genetics of early neurogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Cells of the neurogenic ectoderm of insects must decide between two alternative fates, the neurogenic and the epidermogenic. In the last few years several genes have been identified in Drosophila which are involved in controlling this decision. The analysis of mutations in these genes has led to hypotheses about the commitment of the neurogenic ectoderm and of the neural progenitors.