Role of molecular motor protein myosin 10 in building the vertebrate eye
Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name
Vinoth Sittaramane
Proposal Track
Student
Session Format
Poster
Abstract
The human eye consists of three layers: the outer, middle, and inner layer. Each layer is composed of specific components which contribute to the functioning of the eye. The innermost layer is referred to as the retina. The retina in the eye is responsible for capturing light signals and transporting them to the optic nerve as impulses. If damaged, the retina can cause severe eye problems, including vision loss. The development of layers in vertebrate eyes is a complex process, involving myosin 10, a class of motor proteins known for their role in cell motility. Little is known about the role of unconventional myosin 10 in the developing eye of vertebrates but preliminary studies done in our lab have shown that a myosin 10 deficiency results in extremely small eyes. However, the role of myosin 10 in eye and retina development is inclusive. The aim of this study is to, first, identify if specific structures of the eye, including layers of the retina, lens, and optic nerve, are present in myosin-10 deficient zebrafish. By characterizing the presence or absence of these structures, we will be able to further investigate the role of myosin10. We will design myosin-10 deficient zebrafish by injecting antisense nucleotides, a complementary RNA sequence which will inhibit the production of the motor protein, into 1-cell stage embryos. The embryos will grow for 5 days, which is the approximate time it takes for the retina to develop, and the presence of the specific eye structures will be tested. Zebrafish, labeled experimentally with Green Fluorescent protein in vacuum, will be employed in order to visualize the retinal layers and optic axon. In order to ensure myosin 10 is responsible for the presence or absence of these structures, myosin 10 RNA will be injected back into the zebrafish embryos to rescue the defect. The expected results of the experiments are to be able to identify any defective layers of the retina. This will allow us to identify the role of myosin 10 in the development of specific layers in the retina, as well as the optic nerve. Damage to the retina or optic nerve can cause an array of diseases, such as glaucoma, which can ultimately lead to blindness. Thus, understanding the role that myosin 10 plays in the development of these structures may be useful in developing strategies to treat these diseases.
Keywords
myosin 10, zebafish, eye development, retina, optic nerve
Location
Concourse and Atrium
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
11-7-2015 10:10 AM
End Date
11-7-2015 11:20 AM
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Smith, Brittany N., "Role of molecular motor protein myosin 10 in building the vertebrate eye" (2015). Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (2014-2015). 23.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gurc/2015/2015/23
Role of molecular motor protein myosin 10 in building the vertebrate eye
Concourse and Atrium
The human eye consists of three layers: the outer, middle, and inner layer. Each layer is composed of specific components which contribute to the functioning of the eye. The innermost layer is referred to as the retina. The retina in the eye is responsible for capturing light signals and transporting them to the optic nerve as impulses. If damaged, the retina can cause severe eye problems, including vision loss. The development of layers in vertebrate eyes is a complex process, involving myosin 10, a class of motor proteins known for their role in cell motility. Little is known about the role of unconventional myosin 10 in the developing eye of vertebrates but preliminary studies done in our lab have shown that a myosin 10 deficiency results in extremely small eyes. However, the role of myosin 10 in eye and retina development is inclusive. The aim of this study is to, first, identify if specific structures of the eye, including layers of the retina, lens, and optic nerve, are present in myosin-10 deficient zebrafish. By characterizing the presence or absence of these structures, we will be able to further investigate the role of myosin10. We will design myosin-10 deficient zebrafish by injecting antisense nucleotides, a complementary RNA sequence which will inhibit the production of the motor protein, into 1-cell stage embryos. The embryos will grow for 5 days, which is the approximate time it takes for the retina to develop, and the presence of the specific eye structures will be tested. Zebrafish, labeled experimentally with Green Fluorescent protein in vacuum, will be employed in order to visualize the retinal layers and optic axon. In order to ensure myosin 10 is responsible for the presence or absence of these structures, myosin 10 RNA will be injected back into the zebrafish embryos to rescue the defect. The expected results of the experiments are to be able to identify any defective layers of the retina. This will allow us to identify the role of myosin 10 in the development of specific layers in the retina, as well as the optic nerve. Damage to the retina or optic nerve can cause an array of diseases, such as glaucoma, which can ultimately lead to blindness. Thus, understanding the role that myosin 10 plays in the development of these structures may be useful in developing strategies to treat these diseases.
