# Neural versus non-neural fate choice in the developing eye epithelium

> **NIH NIH R01** · UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $364,500

## Abstract

Abstract
The Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor Mitf, the Wnt-pathway effector Arm/-Catenin, and the
Hippo-pathway-regulated transcriptional co-activator Yki control the binary choice between neural epithelium
(retina) and non-neural support tissue (peripodial epithelium or PE) in the developing eye disc of Drosophila.
Specifically, these factors function as promoters of PE fate and suppressors of retina fate. Using the tools of
the Drosophila model, we propose to carry out detailed genetic and molecular analyses of these factors' role in
PE determination (Specific Aim 1) and investigate how control of their phosphorylation state (Specific Aim 2)
and mRNA stability/translation (Specific Aim 3) regulate their function. Our work will define for the first time the
genetic network for eye peripodial specification, the eye-Peripodial Determination Network or ePDN, and lead
to the discovery of novel network components. Strikingly, homologous factors play an analogous role during
development of the mammalian eye, where MITF, -CATENIN, YAP and TAZ, and TEAD specify the Retinal
Pigmented Epithelium (RPE) of the optic vesicle. These findings point to an ancient evolutionary relationship
between the genetic networks that define accessory support cells of photoreceptor neurons in both flies and
vertebrates. Based on this conservation, we believe that our studies will also generate insights into RPE
formation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9942460
- **Project number:** 5R01EY028221-04
- **Recipient organization:** UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** FRANCESCA PIGNONI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $364,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9942460

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9942460, Neural versus non-neural fate choice in the developing eye epithelium (5R01EY028221-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9942460. Licensed CC0.

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