Abstract
The orderly generation of cell types in the developing retina is thought to be regulated by changes in the competence of multipotent progenitors. Here, we show that a secreted factor, growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), controls the numbers of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), as well as amacrine and photoreceptor cells, that form during development. GDF11 does not affect proliferation of progenitors-a major mode of GDF11 action in other tissues-but instead controls duration of expression of Math5, a gene that confers competence for RGC genesis, in progenitor cells. Thus, GDF11 governs the temporal windows during which multipotent progenitors retain competence to produce distinct neural progeny.
Highlights
Analysis of PKR2 mRNA expression in PK2j/j mice showed an overall decrease in neuronal progenitors migrating away from the OV into the GL and PGL
To evaluate whether PK2 is a genuine chemoattractant for SVZ neuronal progenitors, we performed SVZa explants coculture assay with the GL of the OB, where PK2 is primarily expressed (Fig. 1, D and E)
Cell migration was directed toward the GL tissue from WT OB, whereas the corresponding tissue from PK2j/j OB exhibited no chemotaxis activity
Summary
Powered by the California Digital Library University of California of PKR2-positive cells in the rostral portion of the RMS and OV of PK2j/j mice S12), shown by PSA-NCAM immunostaining (Fig. 3E).
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