PUBLICATION

Transcriptional control of visual neural circuit development by GS homeobox 1

Authors
Schmidt, A.R., Placer, H.J., Muhammad, I.M., Shephard, R., Patrick, R.L., Saurborn, T., Horstick, E.J., Bergeron, S.A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-240427-13
Date
2024
Source
PLoS Genetics   20: e1011139e1011139 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Bergeron, Sadie, Horstick, Eric, Patrick, Regina, Schmidt, Alexandra
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells*/metabolism
  • Homeodomain Proteins*/genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins*/metabolism
  • Transcription Factors/genetics
  • Transcription Factors/metabolism
  • Animals, Genetically Modified*
  • Animals
  • Mutation
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
  • Superior Colliculi/growth & development
  • Superior Colliculi/metabolism
  • Axons/metabolism
  • Axons/physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Visual Pathways/growth & development
  • Visual Pathways/metabolism
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/metabolism
(all 18)
PubMed
38669217 Full text @ PLoS Genet.
Abstract
As essential components of gene expression networks, transcription factors regulate neural circuit assembly. The homeobox transcription factor encoding gene, gs homeobox 1 (gsx1), is expressed in the developing visual system; however, no studies have examined its role in visual system formation. In zebrafish, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that transmit visual information to the brain terminate in ten arborization fields (AFs) in the optic tectum (TeO), pretectum (Pr), and thalamus. Pretectal AFs (AF1-AF9) mediate distinct visual behaviors, yet we understand less about their development compared to AF10 in the TeO. Using gsx1 zebrafish mutants, immunohistochemistry, and transgenic lines, we observed that gsx1 is required for vesicular glutamate transporter, Tg(slc17a6b:DsRed), expression in the Pr, but not overall neuron number. gsx1 mutants have normal eye morphology, yet they exhibit impaired visual ability during prey capture. RGC axon volume in the gsx1 mutant Pr and TeO is reduced, and AF7 that is active during feeding is missing which is consistent with reduced hunting performance. Timed laser ablation of Tg(slc17a6b:DsRed)-positive cells reveals that they are necessary for AF7 formation. This work is the first to implicate gsx1 in establishing cell identity and functional neural circuits in the visual system.
Genes / Markers
Marker Marker Type Name
gsx1GENEGS homeobox 1
1 - 1 of 1
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Figures
Figure Gallery (7 images)
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Expression
No data available
Phenotype
No data available
Mutations / Transgenics
Allele Construct Type Affected Genomic Region
knu3TgTransgenic Insertion
    nns14TgTransgenic Insertion
      ot1TgTransgenic Insertion
        rw021TgTransgenic Insertion
          y689
            Small Deletion
            1 - 5 of 5
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            Human Disease / Model
            No data available
            Sequence Targeting Reagents
            No data available
            Fish
            No data available
            Antibodies
            Name Type Antigen Genes Isotypes Host Organism
            Ab1-elavlmonoclonalIgG2bMouse
            1 - 1 of 1
            Show
            Orthology
            No data available
            Engineered Foreign Genes
            Marker Marker Type Name
            DsRedEFGDsRed
            EGFPEFGEGFP
            GFPEFGGFP
            1 - 3 of 3
            Show
            Mapping
            No data available