BMP-induced L-Maf regulates subsequent BMP-independent differentiation of primary lens fibre cells

Dev Dyn. 2011 Aug;240(8):1917-28. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22692.

Abstract

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals are essential for lens development. However, the temporal requirement of BMP activity during early events of lens development has remained elusive. To investigate this question, we have used gain- and loss-of-function analyses in chick explant and intact embryo assays. Here, we show that BMP activity is both required and sufficient to induce L-Maf expression, whereas the onset of δ-crystallin and initial elongation of primary lens fibre cells are BMP-independent. Moreover, before lens placode formation and L-Maf onset, but not after, prospective lens placodal cells can switch to an olfactory placodal fate in response to decreased BMP activity. In addition, L-Maf is sufficient to up-regulate δ-crystallin independent of BMP signals. Taken together, these results show that before L-Maf induction BMP activity is required for lens specification, whereas after L-Maf up-regulation, the early differentiation of primary lens fibre cells occurs independent of BMP signals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Chick Embryo / anatomy & histology
  • Chick Embryo / physiology
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Keratins / genetics
  • Keratins / metabolism
  • Lens, Crystalline / cytology*
  • Lens, Crystalline / embryology*
  • Maf Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Maf Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • PAX6 Transcription Factor
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad Proteins / genetics
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • delta-Crystallins / genetics
  • delta-Crystallins / metabolism

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • L-MAF protein, Gallus gallus
  • Maf Transcription Factors
  • PAX6 Transcription Factor
  • Paired Box Transcription Factors
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Smad Proteins
  • delta-Crystallins
  • Keratins