Distinct developmental programs require different levels of Bmp signaling during mouse retinal development
2005
The Bmp family of secreted signaling molecules is implicated in multiple
aspects of embryonic development. However, the cell-type-specific requirements
for this signaling pathway are often obscure in the context of complex
embryonic tissue interactions. To define the cell-autonomous requirements for
Bmp signaling, we have used a Cre- loxP strategy to delete Bmp
receptor function specifically within the developing mouse retina. Disruption
of a Bmp type I receptor gene, Bmpr1a , leads to no detectable eye
abnormality. Further reduction of Bmp receptor activity by removing one
functional copy of another Bmp type I receptor gene, Bmpr1b , in the
retina-specific Bmpr1a mutant background, results in abnormal retinal
dorsoventral patterning. Double mutants completely lacking both of these genes
exhibit severe eye defects characterized by reduced growth of embryonic retina
and failure of retinal neurogenesis. These studies provide direct genetic
evidence that Bmpr1a and Bmpr1b play redundant roles during
retinal development, and that different threshold levels of Bmp signaling
regulate distinct developmental programs such as patterning, growth and
differentiation of the retina.
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