Differentiation of the Vertebrate Retina Is Coordinated by an FGF Signaling Center

• Published in: Developmental cell Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 565 - 574
• Main Authors: Martinez-Morales, Juan-Ramon, Del Bene, Filippo, Nica, Gabriela, Hammerschmidt, Matthias, Bovolenta, Paola, Wittbrodt, Joachim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, MA Elsevier Inc 01.04.2005; Cell Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis; Cell physiology; Chick Embryo; Fibroblast Growth Factors - genetics; Fibroblast Growth Factors - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; In Situ Hybridization; Molecular and cellular biology; Morphogenesis - physiology; Retina - cytology; Retina - growth & development; Retina - metabolism; Signal Transduction - physiology; Zebrafish - embryology; Zebrafish Proteins - genetics; Zebrafish Proteins - metabolism; Eye; Development; Visual system; Fibroblast growth factor; Retina; Differentiation
• ISSN: 1534-5807; 1878-1551
• DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2005.01.022

In vertebrates, midline-derived sonic hedgehog and nodal are crucial for the initial proximal-distal patterning of the eye. The establishment of the distal optic stalk is in turn a prerequisite to initiate retinogenesis. However, the signal that activates this process is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that in both chick and fish, the initiation of retinal differentiation is triggered by a species-specific localized Fgf signaling center that acts as mediator of the midline signals. The concerted activity of Fgf8 and Fgf3 is both necessary and sufficient to coordinate retinal differentiation independent of the connecting optic stalk.