Abstract
Purpose: :
To study the function of mZfhx2, a large brain protein composed of three homeoboxes and six zinc fingers, in retina development.
Methods: :
We used non radioactive in situ hybridization to examine the expression pattern of mZfhx2 in the developing retina. Retinal samples were collected at the stage of E15, E18, P2, P8, P10, P12, and 3–month from wildtype mice as well as RGC–depleted mice.
Results: :
Our results showed that mZfhx2 expression began in the putative RGC layer at E16, proceeded to E18 and diminished before P10. During the separation of the inner and outer nuclear layers at P10, mZfhx2 was expressed in the inner nuclear layer. In the mature retina, expression of mZfhx2 was diminished in the retina yet continues to be expressed in the periphery of the corneal epithelium. In the RGC–depleted retinas, expression patterns of mZfx2 were not different from those of wildtype.
Conclusions: :
Our data showed that mZfhx2 was transiently expressed in all retinal neurons, but not a specific cell type, at different stages. Expression of mZfhx2 coincided with the terminal process of retinal layering suggesting that mZfhx2 protein maybe involved in final differentiation of the retinal layers. To our knowledge mZfhx2 is the first gene known to be expressed following the layering process, but not a specific cell type, in the developing retina.
Keywords: development • retina • in situ hybridization