No abstract

The neurogenic genes of Drosophila are required for cell‐cell communication that determines the choice between neuronal and epidermal cell fate. Here we report the molecular characterization of the neurogenic gene neuralized (neu) and show that it encodes a protein containing a C3HC4 zinc finger DNA‐binding motif. This motif has been previously characterized in a variety of regulatory proteins, including transcription factors, locus‐specific Drosophila chromosomal proteins, and oncoproteins. These results suggest a nuclear function for neu in the cell‐cell signalling process responsible for inhibiting neuronal determination.