ATF4 May Be Essential for Adaption of the Ocular Lens to Its Avascular Environment

Overview

Journal Cells

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Biophysics
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 Nov 24

PMID 37998373

Authors

Jiawen Xiang

Anthony J Pompetti

Adam P Faranda

Yan Wang

Samuel G Novo

David Wan-Cheng Li

Melinda K Duncan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The late embryonic mouse lens requires the transcription factor ATF4 for its survival although the underlying mechanisms were unknown. Here, RNAseq analysis revealed that E16.5 null mouse lenses downregulate the mRNA levels of lens epithelial markers as well as known markers of late lens fiber cell differentiation. However, a comparison of this list of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with other known transcriptional regulators of lens development indicated that ATF4 expression is not directly controlled by the previously described lens gene regulatory network. Pathway analysis revealed that the DEG list was enriched in numerous genes involved in nutrient transport, amino acid biosynthesis, and tRNA charging. These changes in gene expression likely result in the observed reductions in lens free amino acid and glutathione levels, which would result in the observed low levels of extractable lens protein, finally leading to perinatal lens disintegration. These data demonstrate that ATF4, via its function in the integrated stress response, is likely to play a crucial role in mediating the adaption of the lens to the avascularity needed to maintain lens transparency.

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