Formation of photoreceptors during embryogenesis involves precise regulation of expressed genes. Although several transcription factors that are involved in photoreceptor differentiation have been identified, the direct targets of these genes as well as their regulators remain largely unknown. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of cone vs. rod specific gene expression is one of the central issues of this proposal. Specifically, we will study molecular aspects of Nrl, Nr2E3 and Mef2C function and determine whether they can directly regulate photoreceptor cell fate.
The specific aims of this proposal are to: (1) establish whether Nrl and/or NR2E3 can reprogram retinal precursors to become rods (2) determine whether Nrl directly activates NR2E3 (3) determine whether Mef2C restricts Nrl expression to photoreceptors. Successful completion of this project will improve our understanding of photoreceptor development by providing additional regulatory mechanisms for cell specific gene expression. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32EY016644-01A1
Application #
7057050
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05 (20))
Program Officer
Mariani, Andrew P
Project Start
2006-03-03
Project End
2009-03-02
Budget Start
2006-03-03
Budget End
2007-03-02
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
Upstate Medical University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
058889106
City
Syracuse
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
13210
Reks, Sarah E; McIlvain, Vera; Zhuo, Xinming et al. (2014) Cooperative activation of Xenopus rhodopsin transcription by paired-like transcription factors. BMC Mol Biol 15:4
Danko, Charles G; McIlvain, Vera A; Qin, Maochun et al. (2007) Bioinformatic identification of novel putative photoreceptor specific cis-elements. BMC Bioinformatics 8:407
McIlvain, Vera A; Knox, Barry E (2007) Nr2e3 and Nrl can reprogram retinal precursors to the rod fate in Xenopus retina. Dev Dyn 236:1970-9