Abstract
Formation of the vertebrate visual system involves complex interplays of cell-extrinsic cues and cell-intrinsic determinants. Studies in several vertebrate species demonstrate that multiple classes of signaling molecules participate in pattern formation of the eye and neurogenesis of the retina. Certain signals, such as hedgehog, BMP, and FGF molecules, are repeatedly deployed at varying concentration thresholds and in different cellular contexts. Accumulating evidence reveals a striking conservation of molecular mechanisms regulating the neurogenic process between Drosophila and vertebrate retinas. The remaining challenge is to understand how these well-characterized signaling pathways are activated and integrated to impact eye morphogenesis and retinal progenitor cell fate determination.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Body Patterning
-
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / physiology
-
Cell Differentiation / physiology*
-
Cell Lineage / physiology
-
Central Nervous System / cytology
-
Central Nervous System / embryology
-
Eye / cytology
-
Eye / embryology*
-
Fibroblast Growth Factors / physiology
-
Growth Substances / physiology*
-
Hedgehog Proteins
-
Humans
-
Models, Biological
-
Neuroglia / cytology
-
Neuroglia / physiology
-
Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
-
Photoreceptor Cells / physiology
-
Pigment Epithelium of Eye / cytology
-
Pigment Epithelium of Eye / embryology
-
Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology
-
Retina / cytology
-
Retina / embryology*
-
Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology
-
Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
-
Signal Transduction / physiology
-
Stem Cells / cytology
-
Stem Cells / physiology
-
Trans-Activators / physiology
-
Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology
-
Vertebrates / embryology
-
Vertebrates / physiology
-
Wnt Proteins
-
src-Family Kinases / physiology
Substances
-
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
-
Growth Substances
-
Hedgehog Proteins
-
Proto-Oncogene Proteins
-
Trans-Activators
-
Transforming Growth Factor beta
-
Wnt Proteins
-
Fibroblast Growth Factors
-
src-Family Kinases