Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40233131›Full record

ArticlePLoS genetics2025

Myelin regulatory factor (MYRF) is a critical early regulator of retinal pigment epithelial development.

Michelle L Brinkmeier, Su Qing Wang, Hannah A Pittman, Leonard Y Cheung, Lev Prasov

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS genetics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

  • Update of
    2024
5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Michelle L BrinkmeierDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9505-4682
Su Qing WangDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Hannah A PittmanDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Leonard Y CheungDepartment of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Lev PrasovDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6635-1116

Funding

VIVARIUM MODULEP30EY007003 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI David Antonetti · 1987 to 2026
$17.6M
Defining the genetic landscape of nanophthalmos and the role of MYRFK08EY032098 · NEI · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · PI PRASOV, LEV · 2021 to 2025
$1.2M
NEI NIH HHS K08 EY032098NEI NIH HHS P30 EY007003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Myelin regulatory factor (Myrf) is a critical transcription factor in early retinal and retinal pigment epithelial development, and human variants in MYRF are a cause for nanophthalmos. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) was performed on Myrf conditional knockout mice (Rx > Cre Myrffl/fl) at 3 developmental timepoints. Myrf was expressed specifically in the RPE, and expression was abrogated in Rx > Cre Myrffl/fl eyes. scRNAseq analysis revealed a loss of RPE cells at all timepoints resulting from cell death. GO-term analysis in the RPE revealed downregulation of melanogenesis and anatomic structure morphogenesis pathways, which were supported by electron microscopy and histologic analysis. Novel structural target genes including Ermn and Upk3b, along with macular degeneration and inherited retinal disease genes were identified as downregulated, and a strong upregulation of TGFß/BMP signaling and effectors was observed. Regulon analysis placed Myrf downstream or parallel to Pax6 and Mitf and upstream of Sox10 in RPE differentiation. Together, these results suggest a strong role for MYRF in the RPE maturation by regulating melanogenesis, cell survival, and cell structure, in part acting through suppression of TGFß signaling and activation of Sox10.

Indexed as

Retinal Pigment EpitheliumTranscription FactorsAnimalsCell DifferentiationGene Expression Regulation, DevelopmentalHumansMacular DegenerationMiceMice, KnockoutMicrophthalmia-Associated Transcription FactorPAX6 Transcription FactorSignal TransductionSOXE Transcription FactorsMicrophthalmia-Associated Transcription FactorPAX6 Transcription FactorSOXE Transcription FactorsTranscription Factors

Identifiers

PMID40233131
PMCPMC12052213

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.