Study On The Expression And Regulation Of Bhlhb5 In Retina Neurons

Objectives:Bhlhb5, a member of bHLH gene family, has been found as a transcription factor regulates the development and differentiation of variety neurons in central nervous system and may also play an important role in retina neurons'proliferation. This project is focus on the expression and regulation of Bhlhb5 during the retina development.Method: In order to investigate the function of Bhlhb5 in retina, we use Z/EG conditional reporter gene tracing strategy combine to the Bhlhb5 knock-in mice to see the expression of Bhlhb5 and create the Bhlhb5-null mice to observe the variation of specific retina neurons when Bhlhb5 is absent.Result: Our result shows that Bhlhb5 is expressed in retina ganglion cells, photoreceptor cells and specific subtypes of amacrine cells and bipolar cells, regulates the development and differentiation of these neurons. The number of selective retina neuron subtypes significantly changed in Bhlhb5 mutant mice, indicates that Bhlhb5 is essential for these subtypes'development and maybe the key regulator for some neurons'survival.