Int. J. Dev. Biol. 51: 235 - 240 (2007)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.062236rm

Vol 51, Issue 3

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

Developmental Expression Pattern | Published: 1 April 2007

Reyna I. Martinez-De Luna and Heithem M. El-Hodiri*^,1,2

Graduate Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, College of Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University, ¹Center for Molecular and Human Genetics, Columbus Children's Research Institute and ²Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

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.

Keywords

Nr2e3, nuclear hormone receptor, photoreceptor, retina, pineal gland, notochord, Xenopus