Abstract
The evolution of the eye has been a major subject of study dating back centuries. The advent of molecular genetics offered the surprising finding that morphologically distinct eyes rely on conserved regulatory gene networks for their formation. While many of these advances often stemmed from studies of the compound eye of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and later translated to discoveries in vertebrate systems, studies on vertebrate lens development far outnumber those in Drosophila. This may be largely historical, since Spemann and Mangold's paradigm of tissue induction was discovered in the amphibian lens. Recent studies on lens development in Drosophila have begun to define molecular commonalities with the vertebrate lens. Here, we provide an overview of Drosophila lens development, discussing intrinsic and extrinsic factors controlling lens cell specification and differentiation. We then summarize key morphological and molecular events in vertebrate lens development, emphasizing regulatory factors and networks strongly associated with both systems. Finally, we provide a comparative analysis that highlights areas of research that would help further clarify the degree of conservation between the formation of dioptric systems in invertebrates and vertebrates.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 189-213 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Molecular Genetics and Genomics |
| Volume | 286 |
| Issue number | 3-4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Cone cell
- Corneagenous
- Corneal lens
- Fiber cell
- Semper cell
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Cite this
The lens in focus : A comparison of lens development in Drosophila and vertebrates. / Charlton-Perkins, Mark; Brown, Nadean L; Cook, Tiffany A.
In: Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Vol. 286, No. 3-4, 10.2011, p. 189-213.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The lens in focus
T2 - A comparison of lens development in Drosophila and vertebrates
AU - Charlton-Perkins, Mark
AU - Brown, Nadean L
AU - Cook, Tiffany A.
PY - 2011/10
Y1 - 2011/10
N2 - The evolution of the eye has been a major subject of study dating back centuries. The advent of molecular genetics offered the surprising finding that morphologically distinct eyes rely on conserved regulatory gene networks for their formation. While many of these advances often stemmed from studies of the compound eye of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and later translated to discoveries in vertebrate systems, studies on vertebrate lens development far outnumber those in Drosophila. This may be largely historical, since Spemann and Mangold's paradigm of tissue induction was discovered in the amphibian lens. Recent studies on lens development in Drosophila have begun to define molecular commonalities with the vertebrate lens. Here, we provide an overview of Drosophila lens development, discussing intrinsic and extrinsic factors controlling lens cell specification and differentiation. We then summarize key morphological and molecular events in vertebrate lens development, emphasizing regulatory factors and networks strongly associated with both systems. Finally, we provide a comparative analysis that highlights areas of research that would help further clarify the degree of conservation between the formation of dioptric systems in invertebrates and vertebrates.
AB - The evolution of the eye has been a major subject of study dating back centuries. The advent of molecular genetics offered the surprising finding that morphologically distinct eyes rely on conserved regulatory gene networks for their formation. While many of these advances often stemmed from studies of the compound eye of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and later translated to discoveries in vertebrate systems, studies on vertebrate lens development far outnumber those in Drosophila. This may be largely historical, since Spemann and Mangold's paradigm of tissue induction was discovered in the amphibian lens. Recent studies on lens development in Drosophila have begun to define molecular commonalities with the vertebrate lens. Here, we provide an overview of Drosophila lens development, discussing intrinsic and extrinsic factors controlling lens cell specification and differentiation. We then summarize key morphological and molecular events in vertebrate lens development, emphasizing regulatory factors and networks strongly associated with both systems. Finally, we provide a comparative analysis that highlights areas of research that would help further clarify the degree of conservation between the formation of dioptric systems in invertebrates and vertebrates.
KW - Cone cell
KW - Corneagenous
KW - Corneal lens
KW - Fiber cell
KW - Semper cell
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80255129369&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00438-011-0643-y
DO - 10.1007/s00438-011-0643-y
M3 - Article
C2 - 21877135
AN - SCOPUS:80255129369
VL - 286
SP - 189
EP - 213
JO - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
JF - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
SN - 1617-4615
IS - 3-4
ER -