Retinal ganglion cell genesis requires lakritz, a Zebrafish atonal Homolog.
Journal Article
Mutation of the zebrafish lakritz (lak) locus completely eliminates the earliest-born retinal cells, the ganglion cells (RGCs). Instead, excess amacrine, bipolar, and Müller glial cells are generated in the mutant. The extra amacrines are found at ectopic locations in the ganglion cell layer. Cone photoreceptors appear unaffected by the mutation. Molecular analysis reveals that lak encodes Ath5, the zebrafish eye-specific ortholog of the Drosophila basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Atonal. A combined birth-dating and cell marker analysis demonstrates that lak/ath5 is essential for RGC determination during the first wave of neurogenesis in the retina. Our results suggest that this wave is skipped in the mutant, leading to an accumulation of progenitors for inner nuclear layer cells.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Kay, JN; Finger-Baier, KC; Roeser, T; Staub, W; Baier, H
Published Date
- June 2001
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 30 / 3
Start / End Page
- 725 - 736
PubMed ID
- 11430806
Pubmed Central ID
- 11430806
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0896-6273
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00312-9
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States