ATOH7

Last update 08 May 2025

Basic Info

Synonyms

ATH5, ATOH7, atonal bHLH transcription factor 7

+ [5]

Introduction

Transcription factor that binds to DNA at the consensus sequence 5'-CAG[GC]TG-3' (PubMed:31696227). Dimerization with TCF3 isoform E47 may be required in certain situations (PubMed:31696227). Binds to gene promoters and enhancer elements, and thereby regulates a transcriptional program of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) determinant genes (By similarity). Although the exact mechanism is not certain, retinal transcription regulation by ATOH7 has a role in RGC determination and survival, photoreceptor population development, targeting of RGC axons to the optic nerve and development of the retino-hypothalamic tract (By similarity). Binds to its own promoter and enhancer sequences, suggesting autoregulation of ATOH7 transcription (By similarity). Required for retinal circadian rhythm photoentrainment (By similarity). Plays a role in brainstem auditory signaling and binaural processing (By similarity).

100 Clinical Results associated with ATOH7

100 Translational Medicine associated with ATOH7

0 Patents (Medical) associated with ATOH7

238

Literatures (Medical) associated with ATOH7

01 Apr 2025·Journal of Hazardous Materials

Gabapentin impairs visual development in zebrafish via retinal apoptosis and thyroid disruption

Article

Author: Ji, Guixiang ; Freitas, Rosa ; Li, Xiang ; Zhang, Yongjun ; Yang, Yan ; Zhu, Jiansheng ; He, Yide

Gabapentin (GBP), a pharmaceutical widely used for seizures and neuropathic pain, has emerged as a contaminant in global aquatic environments, raising concerns about its ecological impact. This study investigated the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of GBP (0, 1, 10, 1000 μg/L) on visual development in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Behavioral assays showed that GBP exposure enhanced light sensitivity, as indicated by a significant increase in total travel distance (TTD) in all exposure groups compared to controls. The 1 μg/L and 1000 μg/L exposure groups demonstrated a 41 % and 37 % increase in TTD, respectively (p < 0.05). Apoptosis assays revealed dose-dependent retinal cell death, with fluorescence intensity rising by 15 % at 1000 μg/L (p < 0.05). Visual acuity, measured through optokinetic response (OKR) tests, decreased significantly across all color stimuli. Angular velocity under white light decreased from 4.0 °/s in controls to 1.6 °/s at 1000 μg/L (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Retinal histopathology showed a 17 % increase in ganglion cell layer thickness at 1000 μg/L (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Thyroid hormone assays indicated significant reductions in T3 and T4 levels (p < 0.001), with a 22 % increase in the T3/T4 ratio at 1000 μg/L. Gene expression analysis revealed dysregulation in apoptosis (casp3a, ifi27), thyroid (tshr, dio1), and retinal development (atoh7, pax6a) pathways. These findings demonstrate that GBP disrupts visual development in zebrafish through retinal apoptosis and thyroid hormone dysregulation, highlighting the ecological risks posed by pharmaceutical pollutants. GBP exposure increased light-driven locomotor activity, indicating heightened light sensitivity due to apoptosis in the retina. Visual acuity was assessed through the optokinetic response (OKR) test, retinal morphology, and thyroid hormone (TH) levels. Even at concentrations as low as 1 µg/L, GBP exposure led to significant reductions in OKR across various colors, likely due to changes in retinal thickness linked to thyroid hormone disruption. These effects were consistent with alterations in gene expression related to apoptosis, the thyroid system, and retinal development. Our findings enhance understanding of how GBP exposure impairs vision in fish and highlight the need to evaluate the ecological risks of pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments.

01 Mar 2025·Development

POU4F2 overexpression promotes the genesis of retinal ganglion cell-like projection neurons from late progenitors

Article

Author: Fernandes-Cerqueira, Vitória Melo ; Linden, Rafael ; Bosco, Alejandra ; de Toledo, Beatriz Cardoso ; Colmerauer, Carolina Herkenhoff ; Vetter, Monica Lynn ; da Silveira, Mariana Souza ; Santos-França, Pedro Lucas ; Rocha-Martins, Maurício ; Martins, Rodrigo Alves Portela ; Oliveira-Valença, Viviane Medeiros ; Roberts, Jacqueline Marie

ABSTRACTRetinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the projection neurons of the retina, and their death promotes an irreversible blindness. Several factors were described to control their genesis during retinal development. These include Atoh7, a major orchestrator of the RGC program, and downstream targets of this transcription factor, including Pou4f factors, that in turn regulate key aspects of terminal differentiation. The absence of POU4F family genes results in defects in RGC differentiation, aberrant axonal elaboration and, ultimately, RGC death. This confirms the requirement of POU4F factors for RGC development and survival, with a crucial role in regulating RGC axon outgrowth and pathfinding. Here, we have investigated in vivo whether ectopic Pou4f2 expression in late retinal progenitor cells (late RPCs) is sufficient to induce the generation of cells with RGC properties, including long-range axon projections. We show that Pou4f2 overexpression generates RGC-like cells that share morphological and transcriptional features with RGCs that are normally generated during early development and extend axonal projections up to the brain. In conclusion, these results show that POU4F2 alone is sufficient to promote the crucial properties of projection neurons that arise from retinal progenitors outside their developmental window.

20 Nov 2024·Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Blind But Alive – Congenital Loss of atoh7 Disrupts the Visual System of Adult Zebrafish

Article

Author: Machate, Anja ; Fischer, Marika ; Röppenack, Paul ; Hans, Stefan ; Hammer, Juliane ; Yousuf, Sarah ; Brand, Michael

PurposeVision is the predominant sense in most animal species. Loss of vision can be caused by a multitude of factors resulting in anatomic as well as behavioral changes. In mice and zebrafish, atoh7 mutants are completely blind as they fail to generate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during development. In contrast to mice, raising blind zebrafish to adulthood is challenging and this important model is currently missing in the field. Here, we report the phenotype of homozygous mutant adult zebrafish atoh7 mutants that have been raised using adjusted feeding and holding conditions.MethodsThe phenotype of adult mutants was characterized using classical histology and immunohistochemistry as well as optical coherence tomography. In addition, the optokinetic response was characterized.ResultsAdult atoh7 mutants display dark body pigmentation and significantly reduced body length. They fail to form RGCs, the resulting nerve fiber layer as well as the optic nerve, and consequently behave completely blindly. In contrast, increased amounts of other retinal neurons and Müller glia are formed. In addition, the optic tectum is anatomically reduced in size, presumably due to the missing retinal input.ConclusionsTaken together, we provide a comprehensive characterization of a completely blind adult zebrafish mutant with focus on retinal and tectal morphology, as a useful model for glaucoma and optic nerve aplasia.

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ATOH7

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