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Published on: February 13, 2013
The double-stranded RNA-binding protein Staufen 2 regulates eye size
Diane M Cockburn1, Jason Charish, Nardos G Tassew
1Toronto Western Research Institute, Genetics and Development Division, MCL-6-415, Toronto M5T 2S8, Ontario, Canada.
Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|September 4, 2012
Summary
Mammalian Staufen 2 (Stau2) regulates eye size by controlling cell proliferation during development. Downregulation of Stau2 leads to microphthalmia, highlighting its role in eye morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Tissue size regulation is a complex, poorly understood biological process.
- Mammalian Staufen 2 (Stau2), a double-stranded mRNA binding protein, is known to influence neuronal development and cell behavior.
- Three Stau2 isoforms exist in mammalian brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Staufen 2 (Stau2) isoforms in avian eye development and morphogenesis.
- To determine the impact of Stau2 expression levels on overall eye size.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Stau2 influences eye development.
Main Methods:
- Expression analysis of Stau2 isoforms in developing chicken embryos.
- Ectopic expression and in vivo downregulation of Stau2.
- Assessment of cell death, differentiation, and proliferation.
- Analysis of key developmental gene expression (HES-1, Sox-2).
Main Results:
- All identified Stau2 isoforms are expressed in the developing chicken embryo eye.
- Ectopic Stau2 expression increased eye size; Stau2 downregulation caused microphthalmia.
- Microphthalmia was linked to reduced cell proliferation, not increased cell death or differentiation.
- Stau2 silencing led to decreased expression of HES-1 and Sox-2.
Conclusions:
- Staufen 2 (Stau2) plays a critical, previously unrecognized role in eye morphogenesis and tissue size regulation.
- Stau2 isoforms are functionally interchangeable in preventing microphthalmia.
- Regulation of Stau2-associated transcripts may be a key mechanism controlling tissue size during development.
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