GDF11 controls the timing of progenitor cell competence in developing retina

Science. 2005 Jun 24;308(5730):1927-30. doi: 10.1126/science.1110175.

Abstract

The orderly generation of cell types in the developing retina is thought to be regulated by changes in the competence of multipotent progenitors. Here, we show that a secreted factor, growth and differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), controls the numbers of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), as well as amacrine and photoreceptor cells, that form during development. GDF11 does not affect proliferation of progenitors-a major mode of GDF11 action in other tissues-but instead controls duration of expression of Math5, a gene that confers competence for RGC genesis, in progenitor cells. Thus, GDF11 governs the temporal windows during which multipotent progenitors retain competence to produce distinct neural progeny.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amacrine Cells / cytology*
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Growth Differentiation Factors
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
  • Retina / cytology*
  • Retina / embryology*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology*
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / cytology*
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / embryology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • Ascl1 protein, mouse
  • Atoh7 protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gdf11 protein, mouse
  • Growth Differentiation Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Neurogenic differentiation factor 1