The GoLoco Motif: Heralding a New Tango Between G Protein Signaling and Cell Division

Asymmetric cell division in Drosophila neuroblasts. Neuroblasts delaminate from the ventral neuroectoderm. The cell polarity of this epithelium is maintained by apical protein complexes involving Bazooka, Inscuteable, Pins, and Gα_i. Basal determinant molecules such as Numb, Prospero, and Miranda are also asymmetrically localized. The mitotic spindle is reoriented into an apical-basal axis, and asymmetric cell division occurs. The resultant apical neuroblasts can undergo further asymmetric divisions, whereas the smaller basal ganglion mother cells are committed to differentiating into neurons or glia.