Yingyu Mao

Abstract Self-assortment of progenitor cells is critical for establishing distinct tissue identities during development, including segregation of the optic cup into the neural retina (NR) and ciliary margin (CM). Although Wnt signaling is required for CM specification, here we show that genetic ablation of β-catenin in the peripheral optic cup does not prevent formation of the CM-derived ciliary body and iris in adult mice.

Abstract Peters anomaly is an anterior segment dysgenesis and a leading cause of congenital corneal opacity. Here, we show that loss of ABL kinases restores lens induction in the absence of FGF signaling but induces Peters anomaly type II independently of ERK signaling, a phenotype also observed with elevated FGF–Ras activity. This defect is rescued by allelic deletion of the ABL substrates CRK and CRKL.