ojoplano-mediated basal constriction is essential for optic cup morphogenesis

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2009 papers

Abstract

Although the vertebrate retina is a well-studied paradigm for organogenesis, the morphogenetic mechanisms that carve the architecture of the vertebrate optic cup remain largely unknown. Understanding how the hemispheric shape of an eye is formed requires addressing the fundamental problem of how individual cell behaviour is coordinated to direct epithelial morphogenesis. Here, we analyze the role of ojoplano (opo), an uncharacterized gene whose human ortholog is associated with orofacial clefting syndrome, in the morphogenesis of epithelial tissues. Most notably, when opo is mutated in medaka fish, optic cup folding is impaired. We characterize optic cup morphogenesis in vivo and determine at the cellular level how opo affects this process. opo encodes a developmentally regulated transmembrane protein that localizes to compartments of the secretory pathway and to basal end-feet of the neuroepithelial precursors. We show that Opo regulates the polarized localization of focal adhesion components to the basal cell surface. Furthermore, tissue-specific interference with integrin-adhesive function impairs optic cup folding, resembling the ocular phenotype observed in opo mutants. We propose a model of retinal morphogenesis whereby opo-mediated formation of focal contacts is required to transmit the mechanical tensions that drive the macroscopic folding of the vertebrate optic cup.

Related Papers

• → Concerted action of neuroepithelial basal shrinkage and active epithelial migration ensures efficient optic cup morphogenesis(2017)111 cited
• → Precocious Acquisition of Neuroepithelial Character in the Eye Field Underlies the Onset of Eye Morphogenesis(2013)87 cited
• → Netrin‐1 is required for efficient neural tube closure(2012)12 cited
• → Optic tectum morphogenesis: A step-by-step model based on the temporal–spatial organization of the neuroepithelial cell proliferation(2011)
• Early Eye Morphogenesis of Schizothorax davidi(2014)