Files
Abstract
My dissertation focuses on two projects, the first to identify the function of gpr143, the gene responsible for ocular albinism in humans, in A. sagrei and its possible involvement in foveal development. Through the generation of gpr143 crispant anoles, I found that gpr143 is not required for foveal development but is needed for normal retinal pigmented epithelium development, specifically for the development of the microvilli of these cells. I also present evidence here for the first time that gpr143 is involved in the development of the parietal eye through the use of gpr143 crispant anoles and in situ hybridization. My second project focuses on characterizing scleral ossicles in A. sagrei, the development of these structures, the time of conjunctival papillae and shh is expressed in these structures. I found that unlike previous studies with G. gallus, ossicle number does not vary between animals or the left and right eye. I also characterized here the first time development of the conjunctival papillae in A.sagrei and foundthat the development of these structures differs from that seen in G. gallus. Through the use of in-situ hybridization I found that shh is expressed in the conjunctival papillae. The finding of both of these projects expands our knowledge of eye development in A.sagrei.