Abstract

Summary

This study identifies Satb2 as a molecular marker for direction-selective retinal ganglion cells (DSGCs) in mice and rabbits, but finds it does not mark equivalent cells in macaque primates, suggesting evolutionary divergence of motion-detecting circuits. While primarily basic science, these findings have implications for understanding primate retinal architecture, including circuits relevant to non-image-forming photoreception research.
Abstract

Key Findings

  • Satb2 selectively marks three RGC types in mice: anterior- and posterior-direction On-Off DSGCs, a newly identified Off-DSGC, and an Off-sustained RGC type.
  • In rabbits, Satb2 expression is conserved in On-Off DSGCs but expanded to include cells encoding upward and downward motion.
  • In macaques, Satb2 is expressed in likely a single RGC type with large, monostratified dendritic arbors morphologically distinct from mouse/rabbit DSGCs, indicating On-Off DSGCs expressing Satb2 are likely absent in primates.
Categories

Categories

Eye Health & Vision: Investigates retinal ganglion cell types involved in motion detection across species, with relevance to understanding primate visual circuits and retinal organization.
Authors

Author(s)

OS Dhande, BK Stafford, K Franke
Publication Date

Publication Year

2019
Citations

Number of Citations

40
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