Summary
This research identifies Tbr2 as a critical transcription factor for the specification and survival of ipRGCs, the photoreceptors responsible for non-visual light responses including circadian entrainment. Loss of Tbr2 eliminates ipRGCs, which has implications for understanding how disruptions in retinal development may compromise circadian light sensitivity.
Key Findings
- No ipRGCs are formed when Tbr2 is deleted prior to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) specialization, indicating Tbr2 is essential for ipRGC specification.
- Deletion of Tbr2 from already-established ipRGCs results in elimination of most ipRGCs, suggesting Tbr2 is also required for their ongoing maintenance.
Categories
The Science of Light: Investigates the role of Tbr2 transcription factor in the development and maintenance of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), fundamental to understanding photoreceptor biology.
Author(s)
M Sato, S Watanabe
Publication Year
2015
Related Publications
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice