Abstract
Cone bipolar cells of the vertebrate retina connect photoreceptors with ganglion cells to mediate photopic vision. Despite this important role, the mechanisms that regulate cone bipolar cell differentiation are poorly understood. VSX1 is a CVC domain homeoprotein specifically expressed in cone bipolar cells. To determine the function of VSX1, we generated Vsx1 mutant mice and found that Vsx1 mutant retinal cells form but do not differentiate a mature cone bipolar cell phenotype. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated that Vsx1 mutant mice have defects in their cone visual pathway, whereas the rod visual pathway was unaffected. Thus, Vsx1 is required for cone bipolar cell differentiation and regulates photopic vision perception.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 530-536 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Current Biology |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 23 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences