The Musashi proteins MSI1 and MSI2 are required for photoreceptor morphogenesis and vision in mice.

ABSTRACT: The Musashi family of RNA-binding proteins is known for its role in stem-cell renewal and is a negative regulator of cell differentiation. Interestingly, in the retina, the Musashi proteins MSI1 and MSI2 are differentially expressed throughout the cycle of retinal development, with MSI2 protein displaying robust expression in the adult retinal tissue. In this study, we investigated the importance of Musashi proteins in the development and function of photoreceptor neurons in the retina. We generated a pan-retinal and rod photoreceptor neuron-specific conditional KO mouse lacking MSI1 and MSI2. Independent of the sex, photoreceptor neurons with simultaneous deletion of Msi1 and Msi2 were unable to respond to light and displayed severely disrupted photoreceptor outer segment morphology and c

SUBMITTER: Sundar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7948980 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature