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Otx but not Mitf transcription factors are required for zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium development.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lane, BM; Lister, JA
Published in: PLoS One
2012

Otx and Mitf transcription factors have been implicated in the development of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), but the relationship between these factors and their specific roles in the development of the RPE have not been fully defined. The role of the three Otx transcription factors (Otx1a, Otx1b, and Otx2) and two Mitf transcription factors (Mitfa and Mitfb) in the development of the zebrafish RPE was explored in these experiments. The loss of Otx activity through morpholino knockdown produced variable eye defects, ranging from delayed RPE pigmentation to severe coloboma, depending on the combination of Otx factors that were targeted. Expression analysis through in situ hybridization demonstrates that otx transcription factors are necessary for the proper expression of mitfa and mitfb while Mitf transcription factors are not required for the expression of otx genes. Surprisingly, the loss of Mitf activity in mitfa, mitfb, or double mitf mutant zebrafish had no effect on RPE pigmentation or development. Moreover, histological analysis revealed that retinal lamination is unaffected in mitf mutants, as well as in otx morphants, even in regions lacking RPE. Otx and Mitf combined loss of function experiments suggest that mitfa and mitfb may still influence zebrafish RPE development. This is further supported by the ability of mitfa to induce pigmentation in the zebrafish retina when misexpressed. These findings suggest that one or more Otx targets in addition to mitfa and mitfb, possibly another mitf family member, are necessary for development of the RPE in zebrafish.

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Published In

PLoS One

DOI

EISSN

1932-6203

Publication Date

2012

Volume

7

Issue

11

Start / End Page

e49357

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Zebrafish
  • Transcription Factors
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium
  • Pigmentation
  • Phenotype
  • Mutation
  • Morpholinos
  • General Science & Technology
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
 

Citation

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Lane, B. M., & Lister, J. A. (2012). Otx but not Mitf transcription factors are required for zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium development. PLoS One, 7(11), e49357. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049357
Lane, Brandon M., and James A. Lister. “Otx but not Mitf transcription factors are required for zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium development.PLoS One 7, no. 11 (2012): e49357. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0049357.
Lane, Brandon M., and James A. Lister. “Otx but not Mitf transcription factors are required for zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium development.PLoS One, vol. 7, no. 11, 2012, p. e49357. Pubmed, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049357.

Published In

PLoS One

DOI

EISSN

1932-6203

Publication Date

2012

Volume

7

Issue

11

Start / End Page

e49357

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Zebrafish
  • Transcription Factors
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium
  • Pigmentation
  • Phenotype
  • Mutation
  • Morpholinos
  • General Science & Technology
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques