The proneural basic helix-loop-helix gene ascl1a is required for retina regeneration

Unlike mammals, teleost fish can regenerate an injured retina, restoring lost visual function. Little is known of the molecular events that underlie retina regeneration. We previously found that in zebrafish, retinal injury stimulates Muller glia to generate multipotent alpha 1-tubulin (alpha 1T) and pax6-expressing progenitors for retinal repair. Here, we report the identification of a critical E-box in the alpha 1T promoter that mediates transactivation by achaete-scute complex-like 1a (ascl1a) during retina regeneration. More importantly, we show that ascl1a is essential for retina regeneration. Within 4 h after retinal injury, ascl1a is induced in Muller glia. Knockdown of ascl1a blocks the induction of alpha 1T and pax6 as well as Muller glial proliferation, consequently preventing the generation of retinal progenitors and their differentiated progeny. These data suggest ascl1a is required to convert quiescent Muller glia into actively dividing retinal progenitors, and that ascl1a is a key regulator in initiating retina regeneration.