Initiation of Vertebrate Retinal Neurogenesis
In the vertebrate retina basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors are instructional molecules for retinal neuron formation. Mutations in these genes cause defects in retinal neuron development and function. Yet, very little is known about the genetic regulation or biochemical action of these genes, meaning it is not yet possible to fully explain retinal neurogenesis molecularly. The expression of bHLH factors coincides with the onset of specification and differentiation of particular retinal neuron classes (e.g. Math5/Atoh7 and retinal ganglion cells).
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the first neuron class to differentiate in the vertebrate retina (Figures 1 and 2). RGC neurons require the Ath5 bHLH gene for proper development. In the developing mouse retina, five neuron-promoting bHLH genes have been identified: Math5/Atoh7, Neurog2, Math3/Atoh3, Neurod1 and Mash1/Ascl1. The expression of each proneural gene coincides with a peak of genesis for distinct retinal cell type(s) and their activation occurs in a basic temporal sequence across several days of development (Figure 2). Loss- and gain-of-function experiments have shown that progenitors are biased to particular fates by their expression of one or more bHLH proteins.
Contact Us
The Brown laboratory is part of the Division of Developmental Biology and the Department of Ophthalmology at Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation and the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. Our lab is located in Location R (Research Foundation Building), Room 3001.
Our laboratory participates in pre- and post-doctoral training through the Molecular and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Programs. Inquiries from interested trainees are always welcome.
For more information, please contact Nadean Brown at 513-636-1963 (nadean.brown@cchmc.org).
