Malformations during choroid fissure (CF) closure, an important step in retinal morphogenesis, are a significant cause of congenital visual impairment. Hh signaling plays a crucial role during CF morphogenesis;however, there is a fundamental gap in our understanding of the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control this process. We have identified a novel role for zebrafish Zic2a, a conserved zinc-finger transcription factor, as a key modulator of Hh-regulated gene expression in the forebrain and retina, and demonstrated an essential role for Zic2a in CF morphogenesis. The long-term goal of our research is to elucidate the gene regulatory network that controls CF morphogenesis. An essential step toward this goal, identification of Zic2a effectors and detailed analysis of their functions during CF formation, is the objective of this proposal. We have shown that Zic2a is expressed in the optic stalk, which is adjacent to the CF, and functions non-cell-autonomously to promote CF formation. Based on these data, we hypothesize that Zic2a functions through Hh signaling to control differential cellular dynamics that drive OS and CF morphogenesis, and that Zic2a regulates transcription of genes with key functions during OS/retinal border formation. This hypothesis will be tested by pursuing two Specific Aims: (1) Characterize cellular dynamics at the forming OS/retinal boundary and analyze the role for Hh signals and Zic function in regulating these dynamics;(2) Identify transcriptional targets of Zic2a in the optic stalk and CF, and test their roles during CF morphogenesis. Under the first aim, cellular dynamics during CF morphogenesis will be examined using high-resolution real-time imaging, both during normal development and in embryos with disrupted Zic function and Hh signaling. Under the second aim, optic stalk cells will be isolated from embryos with normal or disrupted Zic2a expression using fluorescence-activated sorting, and genes that require Zic2a function for their correct expression in these cells will be identified using high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq). Functions of these genes during CF formation will be assessed through a combination of conditional over expression assays and targeted mutagenesis with engineered zinc finger nucleases. The proposed effort is significant because it will identify new components of a very important genetic network that controls retinal morphogenesis and is coordinated by Hedghog signaling. This approach is innovative because it integrates molecular, genetic and cell biological approaches in one experimental organism, the zebrafish, to examine a novel function for Zic2a during CF morphogenesis. This approach will fundamentally advance our understanding of an important outstanding question: how Hh signaling coordinates patterning and morphogenesis during retinal development, and will build a strong foundation for analyses of other important but poorly understood functions of Zics, including their roles in neural tube closure, neuronal regeneration and tumorigenesis.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research is relevant to human health because it targets a conserved but poorly understood genetic mechanism that controls an aspect of retinal morphogenesis (choroid fissure formation), particularly vulnerable to disruption during human development. This work will identify novel candidate genes for human coloboma and will set the stage for small-molecule screens to identify modulators of CF closure, with the ultimate goal of designing pharmacological interventions to alleviate coloboma-associated visual impairment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY022098-03
Application #
8597436
Study Section
Biology and Diseases of the Posterior Eye Study Section (BDPE)
Program Officer
Greenwell, Thomas
Project Start
2012-01-01
Project End
2014-12-31
Budget Start
2014-01-01
Budget End
2014-12-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$238,265
Indirect Cost
$77,265
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Zoology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Sedykh, Irina; Keller, Abigail N; Yoon, Baul et al. (2018) Zebrafish Rfx4 controls dorsal and ventral midline formation in the neural tube. Dev Dyn 247:650-659
Sedykh, Irina; Yoon, Baul; Roberson, Laura et al. (2017) Zebrafish zic2 controls formation of periocular neural crest and choroid fissure morphogenesis. Dev Biol 429:92-104
Sedykh, Irina; TeSlaa, Jessica J; Tatarsky, Rose L et al. (2016) Novel roles for the radial spoke head protein 9 in neural and neurosensory cilia. Sci Rep 6:34437
Teslaa, Jessica J; Keller, Abigail N; Nyholm, Molly K et al. (2013) Zebrafish Zic2a and Zic2b regulate neural crest and craniofacial development. Dev Biol 380:73-86