The Xenopus ortholog of the nuclear hormone receptor Nr2e3 is primarily expressed in developing photoreceptors

Int J Dev Biol. 2007;51(3):235-40. doi: 10.1387/ijdb.062236rm.

Abstract

Nr2e3 is a nuclear hormone receptor that is involved in rod photoreceptor differentiation. The Nr2e3 gene was previously identified in humans, mice, zebrafish and chicken. In all species, Nr2e3 expression is restricted to the retina and is believed to have a role in rod photoreceptor specification and maintenance. Here we report the identification and characterization of the Xenopus Nr2e3. We found that Nr2e3 is primarily expressed in developing rod photoreceptors. In contrast to other species, Nr2e3 is also expressed in the notochord and pineal gland during Xenopus laevis development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Notochord / embryology
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Phylogeny
  • Pineal Gland / embryology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Retina / embryology
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / embryology*
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Transcription Factors
  • Xenopus / embryology*
  • Xenopus Proteins / chemistry
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • NR2E3 protein, human
  • Nr2e3 protein, Xenopus
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • Xenopus Proteins