Page last updated: 2024-10-24

retinal rod cell differentiation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires the specialized features of a retinal rod cell. [GOC:dph]

Retinal rod photoreceptor cell differentiation is a complex process that begins with the commitment of multipotent retinal progenitor cells to a rod cell fate. This commitment is influenced by a variety of factors, including transcription factors, signaling pathways, and extracellular matrix components. Once committed, rod precursor cells undergo a series of developmental stages characterized by specific morphological and molecular changes.

Early rod precursors express markers such as CRX and NRL, key transcription factors essential for rod cell fate specification. As development progresses, these cells undergo a series of morphological changes, including the formation of the outer segment, a highly specialized structure containing rhodopsin, the light-sensitive pigment.

The formation of the outer segment is a complex process that involves the assembly of membrane discs, the synthesis and trafficking of rhodopsin, and the elongation of the outer segment. Rhodopsin, the primary photopigment in rod cells, is synthesized in the inner segment and transported to the outer segment via vesicles. As rhodopsin accumulates, the outer segment grows in length, eventually reaching a length of approximately 50 micrometers.

Along with rhodopsin synthesis and outer segment formation, other key events occur during rod cell differentiation:

* **Establishment of the phototransduction cascade:** This involves the expression and localization of proteins required for light signal transduction, including phosphodiesterase, transducin, and arrestin.
* **Development of the synaptic terminal:** Rod cells form synapses with bipolar cells, the second-order neurons in the retinal circuit. The development of the synaptic terminal involves the expression of synaptic proteins and the formation of specialized structures for neurotransmitter release.
* **Expression of specific ion channels:** Rod cells express specific ion channels responsible for maintaining their membrane potential and regulating the flow of ions across the cell membrane.

Retinal rod cell differentiation is a tightly regulated process that requires the coordinated expression of a large number of genes. This intricate developmental program ensures the formation of functional photoreceptor cells that are essential for vision in low-light conditions.'
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Proteins (1)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3A signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:WCB, UniProtKB:P40763]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (28)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
niclosamideniclosamide : A secondary carboxamide resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of 5-chlorosalicylic acid with the amino group of 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline. It is an oral anthelmintic drug approved for use against tapeworm infections.

Niclosamide: An antihelmintic that is active against most tapeworms. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p48)
benzamides;
C-nitro compound;
monochlorobenzenes;
salicylanilides;
secondary carboxamide
anthelminthic drug;
anticoronaviral agent;
antiparasitic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
molluscicide;
piscicide;
STAT3 inhibitor
oleanolic acidhydroxy monocarboxylic acid;
pentacyclic triterpenoid
plant metabolite
nitazoxanidenitazoxanide: a 5-nitrothiazolyl derivative used for a broad range of intestinal parasitic infections including CRYPTOSPORIDIUM and GIARDIA; it is a redox-active nitrothiazolyl-salicylamide prodrugbenzamides;
carboxylic ester
loganinbeta-D-glucoside;
cyclopentapyran;
enoate ester;
iridoid monoterpenoid;
methyl ester;
monosaccharide derivative;
secondary alcohol
anti-inflammatory agent;
EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor;
EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor;
EC 3.4.23.46 (memapsin 2) inhibitor;
neuroprotective agent;
plant metabolite
tetrahydrocurcumintetrahydrocurcumin : A beta-diketone that is curcumin in which both of the double bonds have been reduced to single bonds.beta-diketone;
diarylheptanoid;
polyphenol
metabolite
cryptotanshinonecryptotanshinone: from Salvia miltiorrhizaabietane diterpenoidanticoronaviral agent
ar-turmerone(+)-(S)-ar-turmerone : A sesquiterpenoid that is 2-methylhept-2-en-4-one substituted by a 4-methylphenyl group at position 6. It has been isolated from Peltophorum dasyrachis.

ar-turmerone: potent antivenom against snake bites; isolated form Curcuma longa; structure given in first source
enone;
sesquiterpenoid
EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor;
plant metabolite
swerosideglycoside
nsc 74859NSC 74859: inhibits Stat3 binding activity; structure in first source

S3I-201 : An amidobenzoic acid obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of [(4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonyl)oxy]acetic acid with the amino group of 4-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid.
amidobenzoic acid;
monohydroxybenzoic acid;
tosylate ester
STAT3 inhibitor
telocinobufagintelocinobufagin: structuresteroid lactone
tizoxanidetizoxanide: major metabolite of nitazoxanide; structure in first sourcesalicylamides
bardoxolone methylmethyl 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate: structure in first sourcecyclohexenones
bisabololKamillosan: drug combination containing chamomile and bisabolol; used to treat dermatitissesquiterpenoid
ganoderic acid atriterpenoid
piplartinepiplartine: Antineoplastic Agent, Phytogenic; alkaloid from Piper; structure in first sourcecinnamamides;
dicarboximide
stattic1-benzothiophenes;
C-nitro compound;
sulfone
antineoplastic agent;
radiosensitizing agent;
STAT3 inhibitor
stx-0119STX-0119: antineoplastic; structure in first source
genistein7-hydroxyisoflavonesantineoplastic agent;
EC 5.99.1.3 [DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolysing)] inhibitor;
geroprotector;
human urinary metabolite;
phytoestrogen;
plant metabolite;
tyrosine kinase inhibitor
andrographolidecarbobicyclic compound;
gamma-lactone;
labdane diterpenoid;
primary alcohol;
secondary alcohol
anti-HIV agent;
anti-inflammatory drug;
antineoplastic agent;
metabolite
nifuroxazidenifuroxazide: structurebenzoic acids
hylin
2-acetylfuranonaphthoquinone2-acetylfuranonaphthoquinone: has antineoplastic activity; structure in first source
5,15-diphenylporphine5,15-diphenylporphine: structure in first source
wp1066
azd 1480
bp-1-102BP-1-102: a STAT3 inhibitor; structure in first source
phaeosphaeride aphaeosphaeride A: inhibits STAT3-dependent signaling; structure in first source
hydrazinocurcuminhydrazinocurcumin : A pyrazole obtained by cyclocodensation of the two carbonyl groups of curcumin with hydrazine.

hydrazinocurcumin: structure in first source
aromatic ether;
olefinic compound;
polyphenol;
pyrazoles
angiogenesis modulating agent;
antineoplastic agent;
EC 2.3.1.48 (histone acetyltransferase) inhibitor;
EC 2.7.11.1 (non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase) inhibitor