BrdU incorporation reveals DNA replication in non dividing glial cells in the larval abdominal CNS of Drosophila.

Glial cells are of significant importance for central nervous system development and function. In insects, knowledge of the types and development of CNS glia is rather low. This is especially true for postembryonic glial development. Using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and enhancer trap lines we identified a reproducible spatial and temporal pattern of DNA replicating cells in the abdominal larval CNS (A3-7 neuromeres) of Drosophila melanogaster. These cells correspond to embryonically established glial cells in that region. Except for a specific subfraction, these cells apparently do not divide during larval life. Similar patterns were found in two other Drosophila species, D. virilis and D. hydei.