title: Keeping an eye on SOXC proteins.
abstract: The formation of a mature, functional eye requires a complex series of cell proliferation, migration, induction among different germinal layers, and cell differentiation. These processes are regulated by extracellular cues such as the Wnt/BMP/Hh/Fgf signaling pathways, as well as cell intrinsic transcription factors that specify cell fate. In this review article, we provide an overview of stages of embryonic eye morphogenesis, extrinsic and intrinsic factors that are required for each stage, and pediatric ocular diseases that are associated with defective eye development. In addition, we focus on recent findings about the roles of the SOXC proteins in regulating vertebrate ocular development and implicating SOXC mutations in human ocular malformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Lakshmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pillai-Kastoori
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: Ann C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D055751:SOXC Transcription Factors
keywords: SOXC; eye development; ocular morphogenesis