ZBED4, a cone and Müller cell protein in human retina, has a different cellular expression in mouse

[摘要] Purpose: ZBED4, a protein in cones andMüller cells of human retina, may play important functions as atranscriptional activator of genes expressed in those cells or as aco-activator/repressor of their nuclear hormone receptors. To begininvestigating these potential roles of ZBED4, we studied thedevelopmental expression and localization of both the Zbed4mRNA and protein of mouse retina. Methods: northern blots showed thepresence of Zbed4 mRNA in retina and other mouse tissues, andwestern blots showed the nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Zbed4 atdifferent developmental times. Antibodies against Zbed4 and specificretinal cell markers were used for retinal immunohistochemistry. Results: Zbed4 mRNA was presentat different levels in all the mouse tissues analyzed. The Zbed4protein was barely detectable at embryonic day (E)14.5 but was clearlyseen at E16 at both retinal outer and vitreal borders and throughoutthe retina by E18 and postnatal day 0 (P0). Thereafter, Zbed4expression was more restricted to the inner retina. While ZBED4 islocalized in cones and endfeet of Müller cells of human retina, inadult mouse retina Zbed4 is only detected in Müller cell endfeet andprocesses. The same localization of Zbed4 was observed in rat retina.In early development, Zbed4 is mainly present in the nuclear fractionof the mouse retina, and in adulthood it becomes more enriched in thecytoplasmic fraction. Conclusions: The patterns of spatial andtemporal expression of Zbed4 in the mouse retina suggest apossible involvement of this protein in retinal morphogenesis andMüller cell function.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理