title: The role of homeobox genes in retinal development and disease.
abstract: Homeobox genes are an evolutionarily conserved class of transcription factors that are critical for development of many organ systems, including the brain and eye. During retinogenesis, homeodomain-containing transcription factors, which are encoded by homeobox genes, play essential roles in the regionalization and patterning of the optic neuroepithelium, specification of retinal progenitors and differentiation of all seven of the retinal cell classes that derive from a common progenitor. Homeodomain transcription factors control retinal cell fate by regulating the expression of target genes required for retinal progenitor cell fate decisions and for terminal differentiation of specific retinal cell types. The essential role of homeobox genes during retinal development is demonstrated by the number of human eye diseases, including colobomas and anophthalmia, which are attributed to homeobox gene mutations. In the following review, we highlight the role of homeodomain transcription factors during retinogenesis and regulation of their gene targets. Understanding the complexities of vertebrate retina development will enhance our ability to drive differentiation of specific retinal cell types towards novel cell-based replacement therapies for retinal degenerative diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zagozewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9.
authors.forename: Vanessa I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Research Institute, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R2H 2A6.
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wigle
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H7; Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0J9; Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 1C9. Electronic address: eisensta@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Eisenstat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015785:Eye Diseases, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014714:Vertebrates
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Anophthalmia; Coloboma; Homeobox; Retina; Transcription factor; Vertebrate