The Blimp-1 transcription factor acts in non-neuronal cells to regulate terminal differentiation of the Drosophila eye

Citations Over Time

Abstract

The formation of a functional organ such as the eye requires specification of the correct cell types and their terminal differentiation into cells with the appropriate morphologies and functions. Here, we show that the zinc-finger transcription factor Blimp-1 acts in secondary and tertiary pigment cells in the Drosophila retina to promote the formation of a bi-convex corneal lens with normal refractive power, and in cone cells to enable complete extension of the photoreceptor rhabdomeres. Blimp-1 expression depends on the hormone ecdysone, and loss of ecdysone signaling causes similar differentiation defects. Timely termination of Blimp-1 expression is also important, as its overexpression in the eye has deleterious effects. Our transcriptomic analysis revealed that Blimp-1 regulates the expression of many structural and secreted proteins in the retina. Blimp-1 may function in part by repressing another transcription factor; Slow border cells is highly upregulated in the absence of Blimp-1, and its overexpression reproduces many of the effects of removing Blimp-1. This work provides insight into the transcriptional networks and cellular interactions that produce the structures necessary for visual function.

Related Papers

• → Activation of C2H2-type zinc finger genes induces dwarfism in Arabidopsis thaliana(2014)7 cited
• → The artificial zinc finger protein ‘Blues’ binds the enhancer of the fibroblast growth factor 4 and represses transcription(2004)8 cited
• → A ZINC FINGER TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR EF1 CONTROLS SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL DIFFERENTIATION(2004)
• → 3SY07-5 Roles of KLF5/BTEB, a Kr ppel-like zinc-finger type transcription factor, in vascular remodeling(2003)
• → Faculty Opinions recommendation of The zinc finger transcription factor Gfi1, implicated in lymphomagenesis, is required for inner ear hair cell differentiation and survival.(2003)