Abstract
Astyanax mexicanus is a teleost with eyed surface-dwelling and eyeless cave-dwelling forms. Eye formation is initiated in cave fish embryos, but the eye subsequently arrests and degenerates. The surface fish lens stimulates growth and development after transplantation into the cave fish optic cup, restoring optic tissues lost during cave fish evolution. Conversely, eye growth and development are retarded following transplantation of a surface fish lens into a cave fish optic cup or lens extirpation. These results show that evolutionary changes in an inductive signal from the lens are involved in cave fish eye degeneration.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis
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Biological Evolution
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Cell Differentiation
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DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
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Embryonic Induction
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Eye / embryology*
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Eye Proteins
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Fishes / embryology*
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Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
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In Situ Nick-End Labeling
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Lens, Crystalline / cytology
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Lens, Crystalline / embryology*
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Lens, Crystalline / physiology*
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Lens, Crystalline / transplantation
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PAX6 Transcription Factor
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / biosynthesis
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Repressor Proteins
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Retina / embryology
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Retina / growth & development
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Retina / metabolism
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Rhodopsin / biosynthesis
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Eye Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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PAX6 Transcription Factor
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Paired Box Transcription Factors
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Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
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Repressor Proteins
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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prospero-related homeobox 1 protein
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Rhodopsin