Cone photoreceptor differentiation regulated by thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 in the retinal pigment epithelium.

ABSTRACT: The key role of a thyroid hormone receptor in determining the maturation and diversity of cone photoreceptors reflects a profound influence of endocrine signaling on the cells that mediate color vision. However, the route by which hormone reaches cones remains enigmatic as cones reside in the retinal photoreceptor layer, shielded by the blood-retina barrier. Using genetic approaches, we report that cone differentiation is regulated by a membrane transporter for thyroid hormone, MCT8 (SLC16A2), in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which forms the outer blood-retina barrier. Mct8-deficient mice display hypothyroid-like cone gene expression and compromised electroretinogram responses. Mammalian color vision is typically facilitated by cone types that detect medium-long (M) and shor

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11287251 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature