Specific photoreceptor cell fate pathways are differentially altered in NR2E3-associated diseases

Abstract

Mutations inNR2E3cause two retinal dystrophies with a distinct phenotype.NR2E3encodes an orphan nuclear transcription factor that contributes to photoreceptor cell fate determination by repressing cone while activating rod genes. To dissect NR2E3 function, we performed scRNA-seq in the retinas of wild type and two differentNr2e3mouse models that show phenotypes similar to patients carryingNR2E3mutations. Our results reveal that rod and cone populations are not homogeneous and can be separated into different sub-classes. We identify a previously unreported cone pathway that generates hybrid cones that co-express both cone- and rod-related genes. In mutant retinas, this hybrid cone subpopulation is more abundant, as it includes a subpopulation of rods transitioning towards a cone cell fate. Hybrid photoreceptors with high misexpression of cone- and rod-related genes are prone to regulated necrosis. Overall, our results shed light on the role of NR2E3 in modulating photoreceptor differentiation towards cone and rod fates and explain how mutations inNR2E3lead to different visual disorders in humans.