Chinmo defines the region-specific oncogenic competence in the Drosophila central nervous system

We and others have previously identified the transcription factors Nerfin-1 and Lola as inhibitors of dedifferentiation. Here, we investigate how the oncogenic potential of dedifferentiation varies across different neural lineages in the Drosophila central nervous system (CNS).

We found that Nerfin-1 inactivation causes tumorigenic phenotypes in the central brain (CB) and the ventral nerve cord (VNC) but not the optic lobes (OLs). In contrast, Lola inactivation leads to tumour overgrowth specifically in the OLs. We identify Chinmo, a temporal transcription factor, and its regulation by ecdysone signalling as key determinants of the oncogenic competence in different regions of the brain, influencing the tumorigenic outcome of dedifferentiation.