The lens consists of two cell types: 1) proliferative lens epithelial cells and 2) terminally differentiated lens fiber cells that arise from lens epithelial cells. Transcription factors (TFs) direct gene expression. TFs drive development by dictating which genes are expressed in particular cell types. PAX6 and NKX6-1 are TFs found in lens epithelial cells and lens fiber cells, respectively. These TFs play antagonistic roles in both neural and pancreatic development. Previous work determined that NKX6-1 expression in the lens is upregulated by FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling. The purpose of my work is to determine if NKX6-1 plays a role in the differentiation of lens fiber cells from lens epithelial cells. I will examine the development and gene expression profiles of mouse lenses specifically lacking NKX6-1. While the role of PAX6 in lens development is well understood, the role of NKX6-1 in the lens remains unknown. Since FGFR signaling is essential for lens fiber cell differentiation, I hypothesize that NKX6-1 directly participates in fiber cell differentiation, perhaps by antagonizing the function of PAX6. I expect that lenses lacking NKX6-1 experience defective fiber cell differentiation. This work is significant because defining the relationship among FGFR-signaling, PAX6 and NKX6-1 in lens fiber cell differentiation will provide mechanistic insight into the myriad of developmental disorders and cancers resulting from deregulated FGFR activity. This project will enhance my understanding of genetics, signal transduction and development.
Author: Cameron Gantz, Jacob Weaver
Advisor: Michael L. Robinson, Biology
Graduate Advisor: Anil Upreti, Biology
You must be logged in to post a comment.