Molecular events in early development of the ciliary body: a question of folding.
Ciliary body morphogenesis is a complicated, multi-step process requiring coordinated changes in cell shape, flexure of epithelial sheets and dynamic shifts in mitotic rates. Very little is known of how these cellular events are triggered or regulated. This review summarises current models of ciliary body morphogenesis. The role of intraocular pressure as a driver of morphogenesis is re-evaluated in the light of new information. An update on the role of the lens in ciliary body morphogenesis is presented. In the second part of the review current gene expression data is related to ciliary body morphogenesis. In particular the role of Bmp4 and its downstream target genes are discussed, with novel gene expression patterns of Bmp4 and Tgfbeta1i4 being presented.
Napier
H R L
HR
Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa.
Kidson
S H
SH
D000818:Animals; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000254:growth & development*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics
D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1