miR-204 is required for lens and retinal development via Meis2 targeting

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0914785107
• Publication Date: 2010-08-17T04:40:39Z
• Authors: Ivan Conte; Sabrina Carrella; Raffaella Avellino; Marianthi Karali; Raquel Marco-Ferr...; Paola Bovolenta; Sandro Banfi
• Keywords: PAX6; Oryzias; Optic cup (embryology); Morpholino; Coloboma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have important roles in the regulation of gene expression. The individual miRNAs controlling vertebrate eye development remain, however, largely unexplored. Here, we show a single miRNA, miR-204, regulates multiple aspects medaka fish ( Oryzias latipes ). Morpholino-mediated ablation miR-204 expression resulted an phenotype characterized by microphthalmia, abnormal lens formation, and altered dorsoventral (D-V) patterning retina, which is associated with optic fissure coloboma. Using variety vivo vitro approaches, identified transcription factor Meis2 as one main targets function. We that, together Pax6 pathway, abnormally elevated levels resulting from inactivation responsible for observed phenotype. These data provide example how specific miRNA can regulate events formation; at same time, they uncover yet unreported function specification D-V retina.