Cath6, a bHLH atonal family proneural gene, negatively regulates neuronal differentiation in the retina.
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play important roles in cell type specification and differentiation during the development of the nervous system. In this study, we identified a chicken homolog of Atonal 8/ath6 (Cath6) and examined its role in the developing retina. Unlike other Atonal-family proneural genes that induce neuronal differentiation, Cath6 was expressed in stem cell-like progenitor cells in the marginal region of the retina, and its overexpression inhibited neuronal differentiation. A Cath6 fused with a VP16 transactivation domain recapitulated the inhibitory effect of Cath6 on neuronal differentiation, indicating that Cath6 functions as a transcription activator. These results demonstrate that Cath6 constitutes a unique member of the Atonal-family of genes in that it acts as a negative regulator of neuronal differentiation.
Kubo
Fumi
F
RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan. fumi.kubo@ucsf.edu
Nakagawa
Shinichi
S
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins