Novel roles for the genes Sall3, Hmx4, and Dvr1 in vertebrate eye development, and links to human ocular disorders.

摘要

The visual system translates light into signals interpreted by the brain. For these signals to be sent correctly, the eye must develop properly. We are interested in discovering new genes involved in different aspects of eye development, especially establishment of axes within the eye, and cellular and spatial patterning of the layers within the eye, and linking these genes to ocular disorders in patients. We focus on the small eye phenotype (microphthalmia) as a study basis to find new genes involved in eye development. Using a zebrafish loss-of-function model, I have elucidated new roles for three genes, H6 homeobox 4 (hmx4), Spalt-like3 (sall3), and Decapentaplegic and vg related 1 (dvr1), in eye development, as well as novel roles for the hmx and sall gene families. By understanding how these genes are involved in the signaling pathways, we can hope to find new targets for potential therapy of human eye diseases.