PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Neal T. Sweeney
AU  - Hannah Tierney
AU  - David A. Feldheim
TI  - Tbr2 Is Required to Generate a Neural Circuit Mediating the Pupillary Light Reflex
AID  - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0035-14.2014
DP  - 2014 Apr 16
TA  - The Journal of Neuroscience
PG  - 5447--5453
VI  - 34
IP  - 16
4099  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/16/5447.short
4100  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/16/5447.full
SO  - J. Neurosci.2014 Apr 16; 34
AB  - There are ∼20 types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in mice, each of which has distinct molecular, morphological, and physiological characteristics. Each RGC type sends axon projections to specific brain areas that execute light-dependent behaviors. Here, we show that the T-box transcription factor Tbr2 is required for the development of several RGC types that participate in non-image-forming circuits. These types are molecularly distinct, project to non-image-forming targets, and include intrinsically photosensitive RGCs. Tbr2 mutant mice have reduced retinal projections to non-image-forming nuclei and an attenuated pupillary light reflex. These data demonstrate that Tbr2 acts to execute RGC type choice and/or survival in a set of RGCs that mediates light-induced subconscious behaviors.