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Updated: May 3, 2026
Transplantation of GFP-expressing Blastomeres for Live Imaging of Retinal and Brain Development in Chimeric Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: July 19, 2010
Transcription of the SCL/TAL1 interrupting Locus (Stil) is required for cell proliferation in adult Zebrafish Retinas
Lei Sun1, Ping Li2, Aprell L Carr3
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556; Department of Physiology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China 370001.
Abstract:
The human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) is highly conserved in vertebrate species. Previously, we identified a homolog of the Stil gene in zebrafish mutant (night blindness b, nbb), which showed neural defects in the retina (e.g. dopaminergic cell degeneration and/or lack of regeneration). In this research, we examined the roles of Stil in cell proliferation after degeneration in adult zebrafish retinas. We demonstrated that knockdown of Stil gene expression or inhibition of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling transduction decreases the rate of cell proliferation. In contrast, activation of Shh signal transduction promotes cell proliferation. In nbb(+/-) retinas, inhibition of SUFU (a repressor in the Shh pathway) rescues the defects in cell proliferation due to down-regulation of Stil gene expression. The latter data suggest that Stil play a role in cell proliferation through the Shh signal transduction pathway.
Insights
The Stil gene is crucial for zebrafish retinal cell proliferation after injury. Its regulation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is key to understanding retinal regeneration and treating vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- The SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) gene is vital and conserved across vertebrates.
- A zebrafish mutant (night blindness b, nbb) exhibits retinal neural defects, including dopaminergic cell loss and impaired regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Stil in adult zebrafish retinal cell proliferation following degeneration.
- To elucidate the involvement of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in Stil-mediated proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Examined Stil gene expression and its impact on cell proliferation in adult zebrafish retinas.
- Manipulated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activity using inhibitors and activators.
- Assessed the effect of SUFU inhibition in nbb(+/-) retinas with down-regulated Stil.
Main Results:
- Knockdown of Stil gene expression significantly reduced retinal cell proliferation.
- Inhibition of Shh signaling decreased cell proliferation, while activation promoted it.
- In nbb(+/-) retinas, inhibiting SUFU (a Shh pathway repressor) rescued proliferation defects caused by low Stil levels.
Conclusions:
- Stil plays a significant role in regulating cell proliferation in adult zebrafish retinas.
- Stil influences cell proliferation through its interaction with the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway.
- Targeting the Stil-Shh pathway may offer therapeutic strategies for retinal regeneration.
