Secreted FGFR3, but not FGFR1, inhibits lens fiber differentiation

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.128.9.1617
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T04:49:23Z
• Authors: Venkatesh Govinda...; Paul A. Overbeek
• Keywords: Lens Fiber

ABSTRACT The vertebrate lens has a distinct polarity with cuboidal epithelial cells on the anterior side and differentiated fiber posterior side. It been proposed that anterior-posterior of is imposed by factors present in ocular media surrounding (aqueous vitreous humor). differentiation have hypothesized to be members fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Though FGFs shown sufficient for induction both vivo vitro, they not demonstrated necessary endogenous initiation cell differentiation. To test this possibility, we generated transgenic mice expression secreted self- dimerizing versions FGFR1 (FR1) FGFR3 (FR3). Expression FR3, but FR1, leads an expansion proliferating from due delay This most apparent postnatally correlates appropriate changes marker genes including p57KIP2, Maf Prox1. Phosphorylation Erk1 Erk2 was reduced lenses FR3 compared nontransgenic mice. delayed mice, still retained their intrinsic ability respond FGF stimulation. Based these results propose requires receptor signaling one signals humor ligand therefore likely or FGF-like factor.