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The transcription factor Nr2e3 functions in retinal progenitors to suppress cone cell generation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2007

NEENA B. HAIDER ,
PAUL DEMARCO ,
ARNE M. NYSTUEN ,
XIAONA HUANG ,
RICHARD S. SMITH ,
MAUREEN A. MCCALL ,
JÜRGEN K. NAGGERT  and
PATSY M. NISHINA
NEENA B. HAIDER
Affiliation:
Departments of Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
PAUL DEMARCO
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky Louisville VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky
ARNE M. NYSTUEN
Affiliation:
Departments of Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
XIAONA HUANG
Affiliation:
Departments of Genetics, Cell Biology, Anatomy and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
RICHARD S. SMITH
Affiliation:
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
MAUREEN A. MCCALL
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychological & Brain Sciences and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
JÜRGEN K. NAGGERT
Affiliation:
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
PATSY M. NISHINA
Affiliation:
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
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Abstract

The transcription factor Nr2e3 is an essential component for development and specification of rod and cone photoreceptors; however, the mechanism through which it acts is not well understood. In this study, we use Nr2e3rd7/rd7 mice that harbor a mutation in Nr2e3, to serve as a model for the human retinal disease Enhanced S Cone Syndrome. Our studies reveal that NR2E3 is expressed in late retinal progenitors and differentiating photoreceptors of the developing retina and localized to the cell bodies of mature rods and cones. In particular, we demonstrate that the abnormal increase in cone photoreceptors observed in Nr2e3rd7/rd7 mice arise from ectopic mitotic progenitor cells that are present in the outer nuclear layer of the mature Nr2e3rd7/rd7 retina. A prolonged phase of proliferation is observed followed by abnormal retinal lamination with fragmented and disorganized photoreceptor synapses that result in a progressive loss of rod and cone function. An extended and pronounced wave of apoptosis is also detected at P30 and temporally correlates with the phase of prolonged proliferation. Approximately twice as many apoptotic cells were detected compared to proliferating cells. This wave of apoptosis appears to affect both rod and cone cells and thus may account for the concurrent loss of rod and cone function. We further show that Nr2e3rd7/rd7 cones do not express rod specific genes and Nr2e3rd7/rd7 rods do not express cone specific genes. Our studies suggest that, based on its temporal and spatial expression, NR2E3 acts simultaneously in different cell types: in late mitotic progenitors, newly differentiating post mitotic cells, and mature rods and cones. In particular, this study reveals the function of NR2E3 in mitotic progenitors is to repress the cone generation program. NR2E3 is thus one of the few genes known to influence the competency of retinal progenitors while simultaneously directing the rod and cone differentiation.

Keywords

Nr2e3Cell proliferationPhotoreceptorsRetinal developmentRetinal progenitors
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 23 , Issue 6 , November 2006 , pp. 917 - 929
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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