XSEB4R, a novel RNA-binding protein involved in retinal cell differentiation downstream of bHLH proneural genes.
2004
RNA-binding proteins play key roles in the post-transcriptional regulation
of gene expression but so far they have not been studied extensively in the
context of developmental processes. We report on the molecular cloning and
spatio-temporal expression of a novel RNA-binding protein, XSEB4R, which is
strongly expressed in the nervous system. This study is focused on the
analysis of Xseb4R in the context of primary neurogenesis and
retinogenesis. To study Xseb4R function during eye development, we
set up a new protocol allowing in vivo lipofection of antisense morpholino
oligonucleotides into the retina. The resulting XSEB4R knockdown causes an
impairment of neuronal differentiation, with an increase in the number of
glial cells. By contrast, our gain-of-function analysis demonstrates that
Xseb4R strongly promotes neural differentiation. We also showed a
similar function during primary neurogenesis. Consistent with this proneural
effect, we found that in the open neural plate Xseb4R expression is
upregulated by the proneural gene XNgnr1 , as well as by the
differentiation gene XNeuroD , but is inhibited by the
Notch/Delta pathway. Altogether, our results suggest for the first
time a proneural effect for a RNA-binding protein involved in the genetic
network of retinogenesis.
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