Genes and signaling networks regulated during zebrafish optic vesicle morphogenesis

摘要

BackgroundThe genetic cascades underpinning vertebrate early eye morphogenesis are poorly understood. One gene family essential for eye morphogenesis encodes the retinal homeobox (Rx) transcription factors. Mutations in the human retinal homeobox gene (RAX) can lead to gross morphological phenotypes ranging from microphthalmia to anophthalmia. Zebrafish rx3 null mutants produce a similar striking eyeless phenotype with an associated expanded forebrain. Thus, we used zebrafish rx3^-/- mutants as a model to uncover an Rx3-regulated gene network during early eye morphogenesis.