Foxd1-dependent induction of a temporal retinal character is required for visual function.

Appropriate patterning of the retina during embryonic development is assumed to underlie the establishment of spatially localised specialisations that mediate the perception of specific visual features. For example, in zebrafish, an area involved in high acuity vision (HAA) is thought to be present in the ventro-temporal retina. Here, we show that the interplay of the transcription factor Rx3 with Fibroblast Growth Factor and Hedgehog signals initiates and restricts foxd1 expression to the prospective temporal retina, initiating naso-temporal regionalisation of the retina.

Maternal Larp6 controls oocyte development, chorion formation and elevation.

La-related protein 6 (Larp6) is a conserved RNA-binding protein found across eukaryotes that has been suggested to regulate collagen biogenesis, muscle development, ciliogenesis, and various aspects of cell proliferation and migration. Zebrafish have two Larp6 family genes: and Viable and fertile single and double homozygous and zygotic mutants revealed no defects in muscle structure, and were indistinguishable from heterozygous or wild-type siblings. However, mutant females produced eggs with chorions that failed to elevate fully and were fragile.

CRISPR/Cas9 editing reveals novel mechanisms of clustered microRNA regulation and function.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes. MiRNA families and clusters are two key features in miRNA biology. Here we explore the use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful tool to delineate the function and regulation of miRNA families and clusters.

Neural Mechanisms Generating Orientation Selectivity in the Retina.

The orientation of visual stimuli is a salient feature of visual scenes. In vertebrates, the first neural processing steps generating orientation selectivity take place in the retina. Here, we dissect an orientation-selective circuit in the larval zebrafish retina and describe its underlying synaptic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms.

Relationship of p21-activated kinase (PAK) and filopodia to persistence and oncogenic transformation.

Previously, we found that oncogenically transformed cells had fewer filopodia and more large, p21-activated kinase (PAK)-dependent features than normal cells. These large protrusions (LPs) were increased in cells expressing RhoA(N19) with Cdc42-associated kinase (ACK). Here, we determine how GTPase-mediated mechanisms of focal contact (FC) regulation affect these protrusions.

Alpha2-chimaerin, cyclin-dependent Kinase 5/p35, and its target collapsin response mediator protein-2 are essential components in semaphorin 3A-induced growth-cone collapse.

Neurite outgrowth is influenced by positive and negative signals that include the semaphorins, an important family of axonal outgrowth inhibitors. Here we report that the Rac GTPase activating protein (GAP)alpha2-chimaerin is involved in Semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) signaling. In dorsal root ganglion neurons, Sema 3A-induced growth cone collapse was inhibited by alpha2-chimaerin mutated to eliminate GAP activity or interaction with phosphotyrosine.