The zebrafish retina and the evolution of the Onecut-mediated pathway in cell type differentiation

Quirino Attilio Vassalli, Giulia Fasano, Valeria Nittoli, Eleonora Gagliardi, Rosa Maria Sepe, Aldo Donizetti, Francesco Aniello, Paolo Sordino, Robert Kelsh, Annamaria Locascio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Onecut/Hnf6 (Oc) genes play an important role in the proper formation of retinal cells in vertebrates, in particular horizontal, retinal ganglion and amacrine cells. However, it is not fully known how the unique and combined action of multiple Oc gene copies leads to the induction and differentiation of specific retinal cell types. To gain new insights on how Oc genes influence retina formation, we have examined the developmental role of oc1, oc2 and oc-like genes during eye formation in the non-mammalian vertebrate zebrafish Danio rerio. By using single and multiple morpholino knockdown of three zebrafish Oc genes we provide evidence for the independent and redundant role of each gene in the formation of photoreceptors and other retinal tissues. Through comparison of Oc genetic pathways in photoreceptor differentiation among chordates we demonstrate their mechanism of action through a series of conserved target genes involved in neural transmission.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2071
Number of pages16
JournalCells
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2024

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