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Novel roles for zebrafish Sfrp1a and Sfrp5 in neural retina patterning
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- Author / Creator
- Holly, Vanessa L
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Sensory systems are complex structures that receive stimuli from the surrounding environment and convert them into interpretable information. In the visual system, light hitting the eye is transmitted to the brain in a way that preserves the spatial conformation of the pictures we see. Retinal ganglion cells are given directional cues of where to innervate the brain, based on the unique cohort of genes activated during retinal development. If there are alterations in gene expression, it can result in aberrant axon projection to the brain and improper choroid fissure closure (ocular coloboma). Using zebrafish as a model system, I demonstrate that Sfrp1a (Secreted frizzled-related protein) and Sfrp5 work cooperatively to establish dorsal retinal identity by facilitating signaling from two well known dorsal retina specification pathways, bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and Wnt. Previous experiments identify Sfrps as BMP inhibitors, revealing a novel, positive interaction between Sfrps and BMPs.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2012
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.