Identification of a retina-specific Otx2 enhancer element active in immature developing photoreceptors.

ABSTRACT: The homeodomain protein, Otx2, is a critical regulator of vertebrate photoreceptor genesis. However, the genetic elements that define the expression of Otx2 during photoreceptor development are unknown. Therefore, we sought to identify an Otx2 enhancer element that functions in photoreceptor development in order to better understand this specification event. Using the technique of electroporation, we tested a number of evolutionarily conserved elements (ECRs) for expression in the developing retina, and identified ECR2 as having robust activity in the retina. We have characterized this element using a number of assays, including Cre-fate mapping experiments. We found that ECR2 recapitulates expression/function of Otx2 primarily in newly postmitotic photoreceptor cells (PRs), as well as in

SUBMITTER: Emerson MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3339761 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature