Nonapical Symmetric Divisions Underlie Horizontal Cell Layer Formation in the Developing Retina In Vivo

Leanne Godinho, Philip R. Williams, Yvonne Claassen, Elayne Provost, Steven D. Leach, Maarten Kamermans, Rachel O.L. Wong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

101 Scopus citations

Abstract

Symmetric cell divisions have been proposed to rapidly increase neuronal number late in neurogenesis, but how critical this mode of division is to establishing a specific neuronal layer is unknown. Using in vivo time-lapse imaging methods, we discovered that in the laminated zebrafish retina, the horizontal cell (HC) layer forms quickly during embryonic development upon division of a precursor cell population. The precursor cells morphologically resemble immature, postmitotic HCs and express HC markers such as ptf1a and Prox1 prior to division. These precursors undergo nonapical symmetric division at the laminar location where mature HCs contact photoreceptors. Strikingly, the precursor cell type we observed generates exclusively HCs. We have thus identified a dedicated HC precursor, and our findings suggest a mechanism of neuronal layer formation whereby the location of mitosis could facilitate rapid contact between synaptic partners.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)597-603
Number of pages7
JournalNeuron
Volume56
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 21 2007

Keywords

  • DEVBIO
  • MOLNEURO
  • STEMCELL

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