Atrophy of Muller glia and photoreceptor cells in chick retina misexpressing cNSCL2.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To investigate whether and how the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene cNSCL2 is involved in retinal development.

Methods

cNSCL2, the chick homologue of human NSCL2, was isolated and sequenced. In situ hybridization was used to examine its spatial and temporal expression pattern in the retina. Replication-competent retrovirus RCAS was used to drive cNSCL2 misexpression in the developing chick retina, and the effect of the misexpression was analyzed.

Results

Expression of cNSCL2 in the retina was restricted. Its mRNA was detected in amacrine and horizontal cells, but not in photoreceptor, bipolar, or ganglion cells. Retroviral-driven misexpression of cNSCL2 in the developing chick retina resulted in missing photoreceptor cells and gross deficits in the outer nuc

SUBMITTER: Li CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1986830 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature