PUBLICATION

The role of basic helix-loop-helix genes in vertebrate retinogenesis

Authors
Vetter, M.L. and Brown, N.L.
ID
ZDB-PUB-020128-1
Date
2001
Source
Seminars in cell & developmental biology   12(6): 491-498 (Review)
Registered Authors
Brown, Nadean L.
Keywords
Ath5, neurogenesis, proneural gene, retinal ganglion cell, retinal ganglion cells, promotes neuronal differentiation, central nervous system, domain factor BRN-3b, fate determination, Xenopus retina, chick retina, expression, neurogenesis, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Body Patterning
  • Cell Communication/genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins/physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Regulator
  • Growth Substances*
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs/genetics*
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs/physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nervous System/embryology
  • Rats
  • Retina/embryology*
  • Retina/growth & development
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells/physiology
  • Zebrafish Proteins*
PubMed
11735385 Full text @ Sem. Cell Dev. Biol.
Abstract
The developing eye is a favorite model for the study of pattern formation and cell fate determination. Retinal neuron development, in particular, is an approachable system to study molecular and cellular aspects of cell determination and differentiation. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are important regulators of retinal neurogenesis. Proneural bHLH genes have highly defined expression in the developing retina that are influenced by pattern formation and cell specification pathways. Each retinal cell class has unique bHLH requirements, implying that these genes regulate neuronal identity and function. Therefore, proneural genes represent a molecular focal point through which epithelial cells are transformed into a precise neural network. In this review, we focus on the bHLH factor Ath5, an important regulator of retinal ganglion cell development, and discuss factors that regulate its expression in the retina and the target genes through which it may confer specific neuronal properties.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping