Retina-derived POU-domain factor-1: A complex POU-domain gene implicated in the development of retinal ganglion and amacrine cells

Hao Zhou, Takashi Yoshioka, Jeremy Nathans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel POU-domain protein, retina-derived POU-domain factor-1 (RPF-1), has been identified through the isolation of cDNA and genomic DNA clones. In the adult, RPF-1 is expressed only within the CNS, where its expression is restricted to the medial habenulla, to a dispersed population of neurons in the dorsal hypothalamus, and to subsets of ganglion and amacrine cells in the retina. The human RPF-1 gene spans >125 kb and gives rise to multiple differentially spliced transcripts. In the human retina, the most abundant mRNA isoforms are derived from an alternate splicing event that inserts an evolutionarily conserved peptide of 36 amino acids into the DNA recognition helix of the POU-specific domain. In vitro, the RPF-1 POU domain lacking the insert binds to a consensus Oct-1 binding site, whereas the alternately spliced POU domain does not. RPF-1 protein first appears in the developing mouse retina at e11, where it localizes to neuroblasts that have recently migrated from the mitotic zone to the future ganglion cell layer. These data suggest that RPF-1 is likely to be involved in early steps in the differentiation of amacrine and ganglion cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2261-2274
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 1996

Keywords

  • POU domain
  • RPF- 1
  • amacrine cells
  • retina
  • retinal ganglion cells
  • transcription factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Retina-derived POU-domain factor-1: A complex POU-domain gene implicated in the development of retinal ganglion and amacrine cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this