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Math5 (Atoh7) gene dosage limits retinal ganglion cell genesis.
Prasov, Lev; Nagy, Melinda; Rudolph, Dellaney D; Glaser, Tom.
Affiliation
  • Prasov L; Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Neuroreport ; 23(10): 631-4, 2012 Jul 11.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22660169
ABSTRACT
The basic helix-loop-helix factor Math5 (Atoh7) is critical for the determination of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) fate in mice. Recently, genome-wide association studies have identified the ATOH7 locus as a major determinant of variation in the human optic disc area, which is directly correlated with the RGC number. These studies suggest that the level of Math5 expression may determine the ultimate number of RGCs. To test this hypothesis, we systematically compared optic nerve area and RGC axon number in C57BL/6J congenic Math5+/- and +/+ mice at young adult and neonatal ages by transmission electron microscopy. Optic disc area and RGC abundance were not significantly different in adults, but heterozygotes had thinner optic nerves and 25-30% fewer RGCs at birth than wild-type littermates (P<0.05). Our results suggest that Math5 dosage is important for the genesis, but not the ultimate number, of RGCs. Our findings highlight the importance of ganglion cell culling as a compensatory mechanism for retinal homeostasis, and support a quantitative role for Math5 in RGC specification.
Subject(s)

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Retinal Ganglion Cells / Gene Dosage / Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / Neurogenesis / Nerve Tissue Proteins Type of study: Prognostic_studies Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Neuroreport Journal subject: NEUROLOGIA Year: 2012 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Estados Unidos

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Retinal Ganglion Cells / Gene Dosage / Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / Neurogenesis / Nerve Tissue Proteins Type of study: Prognostic_studies Limits: Animals Language: En Journal: Neuroreport Journal subject: NEUROLOGIA Year: 2012 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Estados Unidos