Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064.
J Neurosci. 2014 Apr 16;34(16):5447-53. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0035-14.2014.
There are ∼20 types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in mice, each of which has distinct molecular, morphological, and physiological characteristics. Each RGC type sends axon projections to specific brain areas that execute light-dependent behaviors. Here, we show that the T-box transcription factor Tbr2 is required for the development of several RGC types that participate in non-image-forming circuits. These types are molecularly distinct, project to non-image-forming targets, and include intrinsically photosensitive RGCs. Tbr2 mutant mice have reduced retinal projections to non-image-forming nuclei and an attenuated pupillary light reflex. These data demonstrate that Tbr2 acts to execute RGC type choice and/or survival in a set of RGCs that mediates light-induced subconscious behaviors.
在小鼠中，有约 20 种视网膜神经节细胞（RGC），每一种都具有独特的分子、形态和生理特征。每一种 RGC 类型都将轴突投射到特定的大脑区域，以执行依赖于光的行为。在这里，我们表明 T 盒转录因子 Tbr2 是几种参与非成像回路的 RGC 类型发育所必需的。这些类型在分子上是不同的，投射到非成像靶标上，包括内在光敏性 RGC。Tbr2 突变小鼠的视网膜向非成像核的投射减少，瞳孔光反射减弱。这些数据表明，Tbr2 作用于执行一组介导光诱导潜意识行为的 RGC 类型选择和/或存活。
