Different lineages, one fate: convergent astrocyte differentiation in C. elegans

Astrocytes arise from molecularly distinct progenitors, yet how these lineages converge on a common glial identity remains unclear. In this issue of Genes & Development , Liu and colleagues (doi:10.1101/gad.353618.125) dissect this process in Caenorhabditis elegans CEPsh glia, which parallel functionally mammalian radial glia and its transition to astrocytes. CEPsh progenitors converge transcriptionally before postmitotic maturation. The CEH-43/Distal-less transcription factor acts as a terminal selector, directly regulating both the convergent embryonic program and the subsequent acquisition of mature astrocyte-like features. Comparative transcriptomics shows molecular similarities between CEPsh glia and mammalian astrocytes. These findings reveal a regulatory logic for convergent differentiation that could apply to other contexts.