Neuronal transcriptional repressor REST suppresses an Atoh7-independent program for initiating retinal ganglion cell development.
As neuronal progenitors differentiate into neurons, they acquire a unique set of transcription factors. The transcriptional repressor REST prevents progenitors from undergoing differentiation. Notably, REST binding sites are often associated with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genes whose expression in the retina is positively controlled by Atoh7, a factor essential for RGC formation. The key regulators that enable a retinal progenitor cell (RPC) to commit to an RGC fate have not been identified. We show here that REST suppresses RGC gene expression in RPCs. REST inactivation causes aberrant expression of RGC transcription factors in proliferating RPCs, independent of Atoh7, resulting in increased RGC formation. Strikingly, inactivating REST in Atoh7-null retinas restores transcription factor expression, which partially activates downstream RGC genes but is insufficient to prevent RGC loss. Our results demonstrate an Atoh7-independent program for initial activation of RGC genes and suggest a novel role for REST in preventing premature expression in RPCs.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. cmao@mdanderson.org
Chai-An
CA
Mao
Wen-Wei
WW
Tsai
Jang-Hyeon
JH
Cho
Ping
P
Pan
Michelle Craig
MC
Barton
William H
WH
Klein
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D050820:Transcription Factor Brn-3B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D050820:Transcription Factor Brn-3B; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor; C117638:Atoh7 protein, mouse; C085559:Pou4f2 protein, mouse