Mouse predation is dependent on a population of POU6F2-positive retinal ganglion cells

The contribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) subtypes to visually guided behavior continues to be an active area of research. We identify POU6F2-expressing RGCs that are ON-OFF direction-selective RGCs and are vulnerable to glaucomatous injury. In Pou6f2 knockout (Pou6f2 ^-/-) mice, there is a 12% loss of RGCs, and these cells are the POU6F2-expressing RGCs. Functionally, Pou6f2 ^-/- mice exhibited profound deficit in contrast sensitivity. In the present study, we demonstrate a significant decline in the ability of Pou6f2 ^-/- mice to perform a predation test that is dependent on binocular vision. Wild-type mice detect and capture the cricket rapidly; while Pou6f2 ^-/- mice require a significantly longer time to complete the task. After optic nerve crush, wildtype mice require a longer time to capture crickets; while there is no further impairment in the Pou6f2 ^-/- mice. These data demonstrate that the POU6F2-positive RGCs are essential for this binocularly driven behavior.