This study identifies the lncRNA Peanut as promoting rod photoreceptor differentiation and neurogenesis by inhibiting Notch signaling and regulating Tox2 expression in retinal progenitor cells.

bioRxiv · Dec 3, 2025 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

Active DNA demethylation is upstream of rod-photoreceptor fate determination and required for retinal development

Ismael Hernández‐Núñez, Alaina Urman, Xiaodong Zhang, William Jacobs, Christy M. Hoffmann, Sohini Rebba, Ellen G. Harding, Qiang Li, Fengbiao Mao, Andi K. Cani, Shiming Chen, Meelad M. Dawlaty, Rajesh C. Rao, Philip A. Ruzycki, John R. Edwards, Brian S. Clark

The paper shows that DNA demethylation, mediated by TET enzymes, is essential for rod-photoreceptor fate determination during retinal development.

PLoS Biology · Aug 4, 2025Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Missense mutations in CRX homeodomain cause dominant retinopathies through two distinct mechanisms

Yiqiao Zheng, Chi Sun, Xiaodong Zhang, Philip A. Ruzycki, Shiming Chen

eLife · Apr 25, 2023Peer-reviewedGenetics

Essential functions of MLL1 and MLL2 in retinal development and cone cell maintenance

Chi Sun, Xiaodong Zhang, Philip A. Ruzycki, Shiming Chen

This study investigates the roles of MLL1 and MLL2 in retinal development and cone cell maintenance using conditional knockout mice, revealing their redundant functions in neuronal maintenance and functional network establishment.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology · Feb 9, 2022Peer-reviewedNeuroscience