The cGMP-gated channel and related glutamic acid-rich proteins interact with peripherin-2 at the rim region of rod photoreceptor disc membranes

Calcium-dependent association of calmodulin with the C-terminal domain of the tetraspanin protein peripherin/rds

Peripherin/rds (p/rds), an integral membrane protein from the transmembrane 4 (TMF4) superfamily, possesses a multi-functional C-terminal domain that plays crucial roles in rod outer segment (ROS) disk renewal and structure. Here, we report that the calcium binding protein calmodulin (CaM) binds to the C-terminal domain of p/rds. Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals Ca2+-dependent association of CaM with a polypeptide corresponding to the C-terminal domain of p/rds. The fluorescence anisotropy of the polypeptide upon CaM titration yields a dissociation constant (KD) of 320 +/- 150 nM. The results of the fluorescence experiments were confirmed by GST-pull down analyses in which a GST-p/rds C-terminal domain fusion protein was shown to pull down CaM in a calcium-dependent manner. Moreover, molecular modeling and sequence predictions suggest that the CaM binding domain resides in a p/rds functional hot spot, between residues E314 and G329. Predictions were confirmed by peptide competition studies and a GST-p/rds C-terminal domain construct in which the putative Ca2+/CaM binding site was scrambled. This GST-polypeptide did not associate with Ca2+/CaM. This putative calmodulin domain is highly conserved between human, mouse, rat, and bovine p/rds. Finally, the binding of Ca2+/CaM inhibited fusion between ROS disk and ROS plasma membranes as well as p/rds C-terminal-domain-induced fusion in model membrane studies. These results offer a new mechanism for the modulation of p/rds function.

The role of Rds in outer segment morphogenesis and human retinal disease

The Retinal Degeneration Slow (Rds) protein is required by photoreceptors for proper formation of the specialized outer segment organelle. Human mutations in Rds cause a multitude of blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. In recent years, the use of animal models and biochemical approaches has provided evidence towards the precise function of Rds and its role in the pathogenesis of human disease. This review addresses the current understanding of the role of Rds in photoreceptor outer segment morphogenesis and provides insight into the design of therapeutic strategies to treat Rds-associated retinal diseases.

Binding of Ca2+ to glutamic acid-rich polypeptides from the rod outer segment

Rod photoreceptors contain three different glutamic acid-rich proteins (GARPs) that have been proposed to control the propagation of Ca(2+) from the site of its entry at the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel to the cytosol of the outer segment. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the binding of Ca(2+) to the following five constructs related to GARPs of rod photoreceptors: a 32-mer peptide containing 22 carboxylate groups, polyglutamic acid, a recombinant segment comprising 73 carboxylate groups (GLU), GARP1, and GARP2. Ca(2+) binding was investigated by means of a Ca(2+)-sensitive electrode. In all cases, Ca(2+) binds with low affinity; the half-maximum binding constant K(1/2) ranges from 6 to 16 mM. The binding stoichiometry between Ca(2+) ions and carboxylic groups is approximately 1:1; an exception is GARP2, where a binding stoichiometry of approximately 1:2 was found. Hydrodynamic radii of 1.6, 2.8, 3.3, 5.7, and 6.7 nm were determined by dynamic light scattering for the 32-mer, polyglutamic acid, GLU, GARP2, and GARP1 constructs, respectively. These results suggest that the peptides as well as GARP1 and GARP2 do not adopt compact globular structures. We conclude that the structures should be regarded as loose coils with low-affinity, high-capacity Ca(2+) binding.

Retinitis pigmentosa

Hereditary degenerations of the human retina are genetically heterogeneous, with well over 100 genes implicated so far. This Seminar focuses on the subset of diseases called retinitis pigmentosa, in which patients typically lose night vision in adolescence, side vision in young adulthood, and central vision in later life because of progressive loss of rod and cone photoreceptor cells. Measures of retinal function, such as the electroretinogram, show that photoreceptor function is diminished generally many years before symptomic night blindness, visual-field scotomas, or decreased visual acuity arise. More than 45 genes for retinitis pigmentosa have been identified. These genes account for only about 60% of all patients; the remainder have defects in as yet unidentified genes. Findings of controlled trials indicate that nutritional interventions, including vitamin A palmitate and omega-3-rich fish, slow progression of disease in many patients. Imminent treatments for retinitis pigmentosa are greatly anticipated, especially for genetically defined subsets of patients, because of newly identified genes, growing knowledge of affected biochemical pathways, and development of animal models.

ROM-1 potentiates photoreceptor specific membrane fusion processes

Photoreceptor outer segment (OS) renewal requires a series of tightly regulated membrane fusion events which are mediated by a fusion complex containing protein and lipid components. The best characterized of these components, is a unique photoreceptor specific tetraspanin, peripherin/rds (P/rds, a.k.a., peripherin-2, Rds and Prph). In these studies we investigated the role of peripherin's non-glycosylated homolog, ROM-1, in OS fusion using a COS cell heterologous expression system and a well characterized cell free fusion assay system. Membranes isolated from COS-7 cells transfected with either FLAG-tagged P/rds or HA-tagged ROM-1 or both proteins were assayed for their ability to merge with fluorescently labeled OS plasma membrane (PM). Such membrane merger is one measure of membrane fusogenicity. The highest percent fusion was observed when the proteins were co-expressed. Furthermore detailed analysis of the fusion kinetics between fluorescently labeled PM and proteo-liposomes containing either, pure P/rds, pure ROM-1 or the ROM-1-P/rds complex clearly demonstrated that optimal fusion requires an ROM-1/P/rds complex. Proteo-liposomes composed of ROM-1 alone were not fusogenic. Peptide competition studies suggest that optimization of fusion may be due to the formation of a fusion competent peripherin/rds C-terminus in the presence of ROM-1. These studies provide further support for the hypothesis that a P/rds dependent membrane fusion complex is involved in photoreceptor renewal processes.

Progressive cone and cone-rod dystrophies: phenotypes and underlying molecular genetic basis

The cone and cone-rod dystrophies form part of a heterogeneous group of retinal disorders that are an important cause of visual impairment in children and adults. There have been considerable advances made in recent years in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these retinal dystrophies, with many of the chromosomal loci and causative genes having now been identified. Mutations in 12 genes, including GUCA1A, peripherin/RDS, ABCA4 and RPGR, have been described to date; and in many cases detailed functional assessment of the effects of the encoded mutant proteins has been undertaken. This improved knowledge of disease mechanisms has raised the possibility of future treatments for these disorders, for which there are no specific therapies available at the present time.

Modeling the role of incisures in vertebrate phototransduction

Phototransduction is mediated by a G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated cascade, activated by light and localized to rod outer segment (ROS) disk membranes, which, in turn, drives a diffusion process of the second messengers cGMP and Ca2+ in the ROS cytosol. This process is hindered by disks-which, however, bear physical cracks, known as incisures, believed to favor the longitudinal diffusion of cGMP and Ca2+. This article is aimed at highlighting the biophysical functional role and significance of incisures, and their effect on the local and global response of the photocurrent. Previous work on this topic regarded the ROS as well stirred in the radial variables, lumped the diffusion mechanism on the longitudinal axis of the ROS, and replaced the cytosolic diffusion coefficients by effective ones, accounting for incisures through their total patent area only. The fully spatially resolved model recently published by our group is a natural tool to take into account other significant details of incisures, including their geometry and distribution. Using mathematical theories of homogenization and concentrated capacity, it is shown here that the complex diffusion process undergone by the second messengers cGMP and Ca2+ in the ROS bearing incisures can be modeled by a family of two-dimensional diffusion processes on the ROS cross sections, glued together by other two-dimensional diffusion processes, accounting for diffusion in the ROS outer shell and in the bladelike regions comprised by the stack of incisures. Based on this mathematical model, a code has been written, capable of incorporating an arbitrary number of incisures and activation sites, with any given arbitrary distribution within the ROS. The code is aimed at being an operational tool to perform numerical experiments of phototransduction, in rods with incisures of different geometry and structure, under a wide spectrum of operating conditions. The simulation results show that incisures have a dual biophysical function. On the one hand, since incisures line up from disk to disk, they create vertical cytoplasmic channels crossing the disks, thus facilitating diffusion of second messengers; on the other hand, at least in those species bearing multiple incisures, they divide the disks into lobes like the petals of a flower, thus confining the diffusion of activated phosphodiesterase and localizing the photon response. Accordingly, not only the total area of incisures, but their geometrical shape and distribution as well, significantly influence the global photoresponse.

Predicted and measured disorder in peripherin/rds, a retinal tetraspanin

Vertebrate photoreceptor outer segment (OS) morphogenesis requires peripherin/rds (P/rds). We have characterized this protein's C-terminus and present evidence that suggests it is intrinsically disordered. We propose that structural flexibility may underlie the multifunctionality proposed for this domain previously. The extremely short C-termini present in other tetraspanin family members suggest that intrinsic disorder may also play a role for those proteins.

AtBAG6, a novel calmodulin-binding protein, induces programmed cell death in yeast and plants

Calmodulin (CaM) influences many cellular processes by interacting with various proteins. Here, we isolated AtBAG6, an Arabidopsis CaM-binding protein that contains a central BCL-2-associated athanogene (BAG) domain. In yeast and plants, overexpression of AtBAG6 induced cell death phenotypes consistent with programmed cell death (PCD). Recombinant AtBAG6 had higher affinity for CaM in the absence of free Ca2 + than in its presence. An IQ motif (IQXXXRGXXXR, where X denotes any amino-acid) was required for Ca2 +-independent CaM complex formation and single amino-acid changes within this motif abrogated both AtBAG6-activated CaM-binding and cell death in yeast and plants. A 134-amino-acid stretch, encompassing both the IQ motif and BAG domain, was sufficient to induce cell death. Agents generating oxygen radicals, which are known to be involved in plant PCD, specifically induced the AtBAG6 transcript. Collectively, these results suggest that AtBAG6 is a stress-upregulated CaM-binding protein involved in plant PCD.

The glutamic acid-rich protein-2 (GARP2) is a high affinity rod photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE6)-binding protein that modulates its catalytic properties

The glutamic acid-rich protein-2 (GARP2) is a splice variant of the beta-subunit of the cGMP-gated ion channel of rod photoreceptors. GARP2 is believed to interact with several membrane-associated phototransduction proteins in rod photoreceptors. In this study, we demonstrated that GARP2 is a high affinity PDE6-binding protein and that PDE6 co-purifies with GARP2 during several stages of chromatographic purification. We found that hydrophobic interaction chromatography succeeds in quantitatively separating GARP2 from the PDE6 holoenzyme. Furthermore, the 17-kDa prenyl-binding protein, abundant in retinal cells, selectively released PDE6 (but not GARP2) from rod outer segment membranes, demonstrating the specificity of the interaction between GARP2 and PDE6. Purified GARP2 was able to suppress 80% of the basal activity of the nonactivated, membrane-bound PDE6 holoenzyme at concentrations equivalent to its endogenous concentration in rod outer segment membranes. However, GARP2 was unable to reverse the transducin activation of PDE6 (in contrast to a previous study) nor did it significantly alter catalysis of the fully activated PDE6 catalytic dimer. The high binding affinity of GARP2 for PDE6 and its ability to regulate PDE6 activity in its dark-adapted state suggest a novel role for GARP2 as a regulator of spontaneous activation of rod PDE6, thereby serving to lower rod photoreceptor "dark noise" and allowing these sensory cells to operate at the single photon detection limit.

Role of Peripherin/rds in Vertebrate Photoreceptor Architecture and Inherited Retinal Degenerations

The vertebrate photoreceptor outer segment (OS) is a highly structured and dynamic organelle specialized to transduce light signals. The elaborate membranous architecture of the OS requires peripherin/rds (P/rds), an integral membrane protein and tetraspanin protein family member. Gene-level defects in P/rds cause a broad variety of late-onset progressive retinal degenerations in humans and dysmorphic photoreceptors in murine and Xenopus models. Although proposed to fulfill numerous roles related to OS structural stability and renewal, P/rds molecular function remains uncertain. An increasingly resolved model of this protein's oligomeric structure can account for disease inheritance patterns and severity in some instances. Nonetheless, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the uniquely broad spectrum of retinal diseases associated with P/rds defects are not currently well understood. Recent findings point to the possibility that P/rds acts as a multifunctional scaffolding protein for OS architecture and that partial-loss-of-function mutations contribute to the hallmark phenotypic heterogeneity associated with inherited defects in RDS.

Glutamic acid-rich proteins of rod photoreceptors are natively unfolded

The outer segment of vertebrate photoreceptors is a specialized compartment that hosts all the signaling components required for visual transduction. Specific to rod photoreceptors is an unusual set of three glutamic acid-rich proteins (GARPs) as follows: two soluble forms, GARP1 and GARP2, and the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain (GARP' part) of the B1 subunit of the cyclic GMP-gated channel. GARPs have been shown to interact with proteins at the rim of the disc membrane. Here we characterized native GARP1 and GARP2 purified from bovine rod photoreceptors. Amino acid sequence analysis of GARPs revealed structural features typical of "natively unfolded" proteins. By using biophysical techniques, including size-exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, NMR spectroscopy, and circular dichroism, we showed that GARPs indeed exhibit a large degree of intrinsic disorder. Analytical ultracentrifugation and chemical cross-linking showed that GARPs exist in a monomer/multimer equilibrium. The results suggested that the function of GARP proteins is linked to their structural disorder. They may provide flexible spacers or linkers tethering the cyclic GMP-gated channel in the plasma membrane to peripherin at the disc rim to produce a stack of rings of these protein complexes along the long axis of the outer segment. GARP proteins could then provide the environment needed for protein interactions in the rim region of discs.

[Genetics of retinitis pigmentosa: metabolic classification and phenotype/genotype correlations]

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP, prevalence 1/4000) is a set of hereditary retinal dystrophies characterized by pigment deposits in fundus and progressive death of photoreceptors, always associated with the alteration of retinal pigment epithelium. Genetic heterogeneity of the typical nonsyndromic form (rod cone dystrophy) is extensive: 11 genes and one locus were reported for autosomal dominant RP, 17 genes and five loci for autosomal recessive RP, and two genes and two loci for X-linked RP. A survey of mutation screening reports in large series of patients indicates that the frequency of mutations for all cloned genes varies from 40% to 54% of cases in autosomal dominant RP, from 17% to 24% in autosomal recessive RP (excluding the USH2A gene for which the values remain uncertain) and from 61% to 89% in X-linked RP. Very few studies report on sporadic cases except for the two X-linked genes, RP2 and RPGR, which account for 29% of sporadic cases in males. Altogether, the two most frequently involved genes are RPGR (13% of all RP cases) and RHO (4%), an important consideration for molecular diagnosis. Finally, we roughly estimate that currently known genes do not represent more than 50% of RP cases, suggesting that many genes remain to be discovered. The known genes can be classified into metabolic groups according to the encoded protein: visual transduction, visual cycle, transcription factors, structural proteins, spliceosome complex and cellular traffic, indicating the high level of specialization of photoreceptors and of the retinal pigment epithelium. In parallel with this classification, genotype/phenotype correlations have been established that will help ophthalmologists to suspect particular genes, and thereby mechanisms. This approach will provide better informations to patients and will orient the choice of future therapies.

Cone-rod dystrophy, intrafamilial variability, and incomplete penetrance associated with the R172W mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene

PURPOSE

To determine the underlying molecular genetic basis of a retinal dystrophy identified in a 5-generation family, and to examine the phenotype and degree of intrafamilial variability.

DESIGN

Family genetic study.

PARTICIPANTS

Nine affected individuals from a nonconsanguineous British family.

METHODS

Ophthalmologic examination, color vision testing, fundus photography, autofluorescence imaging, and electrophysiological assessment were performed. The clinical notes of 2 additional deceased affected family members were also reviewed. Blood samples were taken for DNA extraction, with linkage analysis being performed, and subsequent mutation screening of the peripherin/RDS gene.

RESULTS

Linkage analysis established a disease interval on chromosome 6p, which harbored the retinal candidate gene, peripherin/RDS. The 3 coding exons of the peripherin/RDS gene were subsequently screened for mutations in affected and unaffected family members. A nonconservative missense substitution, Arg172Trp (R172W), segregated uniquely in all affected subjects. The majority of subjects carrying the R172W peripherin/RDS mutation complained of reduced central vision starting in the second or third decade, with subsequent gradual deterioration of visual acuity and color vision. Three affected individuals complained of nyctalopia. A range of macular appearances were seen, varying from a typical granular appearance to extensive macular atrophy. Autofluorescence imaging in the majority of individuals identified a highly characteristic speckled macular appearance. All affected subjects had abnormal pattern electroretinograms (ERGs) consistent with macular dysfunction and 4 subjects showed additional full-field ERG abnormalities, providing evidence of generalized retinal dysfunction. There was marked variation in the clinical phenotype in those individuals who carried the R172W peripherin/RDS mutation, ranging from severe cone-rod dystrophy to asymptomatic individuals with normal retinal function.

CONCLUSIONS

The Arg172Trp (R172W) peripherin/RDS mutation has been previously reported to cause a fully penetrant progressive macular dystrophy with high intrafamilial and interfamilial consistency of phenotype. This is the first report describing marked intrafamilial variation associated with this mutation, including nonpenetrance. These findings are clinically important in relation to advice on prognosis and accurate genetic counseling.

Impaired channel targeting and retinal degeneration in mice lacking the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit CNGB1

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are important mediators in the transduction pathways of rod and cone photoreceptors. Native CNG channels are heterotetramers composed of homologous A and B subunits. In heterologous expression systems, B subunits alone cannot form functional CNG channels, but they confer a number of channel properties when coexpressed with A subunits. To investigate the importance of the CNGB subunits in vivo, we deleted the CNGB1 gene in mice. In the absence of CNGB1, only trace amounts of the CNGA1 subunit were found on the rod outer segment. As a consequence, the vast majority of isolated rod photoreceptors in mice lacking CNGB1 (CNGB1-/-) failed to respond to light. In electroretinograms (ERGs), CNGB1-/- mice showed no rod-mediated responses. The rods also showed a slow-progressing degeneration caused by apoptotic death and concurred by retinal gliosis. Cones were primarily unaffected and showed normal ERG responses up to 6 months, but they started to degenerate in later stages. At the age of approximately 1 year, CNGB1-/- animals were devoid of both rods and cones. Our results show that CNGB1 is a crucial determinant of native CNG channel targeting. As a result of the lack of rod CNG channels, CNGB1-/- mice develop a retinal degeneration that resembles human retinitis pigmentosa.

Accessibility of cysteines in the native bovine rod cGMP-gated channel

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels of photoreceptors and olfactory sensory neurons are tetramers consisting of A and B subunits. Here, the accessibility of the cysteines of the bovine rod cyclic nucleotide-gated channel is examined as a function of ligand binding. N-Ethylmaleimide-modified cysteines of both subunits were identified by mass spectrometry after trypsin digestion. In the absence of ligand, the intracellular carboxy-terminal cysteines of both subunits were accessible to N-ethylmaleimide. Activation of the channel abolished the accessibility of Cys505 of the A subunit and Cys1104 of the B subunit, with both being conserved cysteines of the cyclic nucleotide-binding sites. The cysteine of the pore loop of the B subunit was also found to be modified by this reagent in the absence of ligand. The total number of accessible cysteines of each subunit was determined by mass shifting upon modification with polyethylene glycol maleimide. In the absence of cyclic nucleotides, this hydrophilic reagent only weakly labeled cysteines of the A subunit but readily labeled at least three cysteines of the B subunit. Ligand binding exposed two cysteines of the A subunit and one cysteine of the B subunit to chemical modification. Double-modification experiments suggest that some of these cysteines are in or close to membrane-spanning domains. However, these cysteines could not yet be identified. Together, the cysteine accessibility of the native rod cyclic nucleotide-gated channel varies markedly upon ligand binding, thus indicating major structural rearrangements, which are of functional importance for channel activation.

Site-Directed Disulfide Mapping of Residues Contributing to the Ca2+ and K+ Binding Pocket of the NCKX2 Na+/Ca2+-K+ Exchanger

The Na+/Ca2+-K+ exchanger (NCKX) gene products are polytopic membrane proteins that utilize the existing cellular Na+ and K+ gradients to extrude cytoplasmic Ca2+. NCKX proteins are made up of two clusters of hydrophobic segments, both thought to consist of five putative membrane-spanning alpha-helices, and separated by a large cytoplasmic loop. The two most conserved regions within the NCKX sequence are known as the alpha1 and alpha2 repeats, and are found within the first and second set of transmembrane domains, respectively. The alpha repeats have previously been shown to contain residues critical for transport function. Here we used site-directed disulfide mapping to report that the alpha repeats are found in close proximity in three-dimensional space, bringing together key functional NCKX residues, e.g., the two critical acidic residues, Glu188 and Asp548. Glu188Cys in the alpha1 repeat could form a disulfide cross-link with Asp548Cys in the alpha2 repeat. Surprisingly, cysteine substitutions of Ser185 in the alpha1 repeat could form disulfide cross-links with cysteine substitutions of three residues in the alpha2 repeat (Ser545, Asp548, and Ser552), thought to cover close to two full turns of an alpha helix, implying an area of increased flexibility. Using the same method, Asp575, a residue critical for the K+ dependence of NCKX, was shown to be in the proximity of Ser185 and Glu188, consistent with its role in enabling K+ to bind to a single Ca2+ and K+ binding pocket.

Role of the second intradiscal loop of peripherin/rds in homo and hetero associations

Peripherin/rds (P/rds) is a disk rim protein that assembles into homo and hetero complexes with its nonglycosylated homologue, Rom-1, to maintain the integrity of the photoreceptor outer segment. Mutations in the rds gene have been identified in a variety of human retinal degenerative diseases. More than 70% of these mutations are located in the second intradiscal (D2) loop, highlighting the functional importance of this region. This study examines the involvement of different regions of the D2 loop in protein associations using a GST pull-down assay and a heterologous coexpression system. The pull-down assay suggests an association of the N-terminal portion (Phe(120)-Phe(187)) of the D2 loop with Rom-1 as well as with other P/rds molecules. Through peptide competition experiments, the region between Cys(165) and Asn(182) of the D2 loop has been identified as the domain for these associations. In a COS-1 cell heterologous expression system, coexpression of the D2 loop along with the intact P/rds and Rom-1 hindered the association of the two full-length proteins. In contrast to the homo association of P/rds molecules, it seems that the hetero association of P/rds with Rom-1 has a more stringent structural requirement. This work defines the crucial domain of the D2 loop, which mediates homo and hetero associations, specifically the regions that lay between Cys(165) and Asn(182). Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms behind the protein-protein associations of P/rds and its partners may reveal the pathogenic defects arising from the most common mutations in this gene.

Functional insights from the distribution and role of homopeptide repeat-containing proteins

Expansion of "low complex" repeats of amino acids such as glutamine (Poly-Q) is associated with protein misfolding and the development of degenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease. The mechanism by which such regions promote misfolding remains controversial, the function of many repeat-containing proteins (RCPs) remains obscure, and the role (if any) of repeat regions remains to be determined. Here, a Web-accessible database of RCPs is presented. The distribution and evolution of RCPs that contain homopeptide repeats tracts are considered, and the existence of functional patterns investigated. Generally, it is found that while polyamino acid repeats are extremely rare in prokaryotes, several eukaryote putative homologs of prokaryote RCP-involved in important housekeeping processes-retain the repetitive region, suggesting an ancient origin for certain repeats. Within eukarya, the most common uninterrupted amino acid repeats are glutamine, asparagines, and alanine. Interestingly, while poly-Q repeats are found in vertebrates and nonvertebrates, poly-N repeats are only common in more primitive nonvertebrate organisms, such as insects and nematodes. We have assigned function to eukaryote RCPs using Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), the Human Reference Protein Database (HRPD), FlyBase, and Wormpep. Prokaryote RCPs were annotated using BLASTp searches and Gene Ontology. These data reveal that the majority of RCPs are involved in processes that require the assembly of large, multiprotein complexes, such as transcription and signaling.

Les dystrophies maculaires héréditaires

Hereditary macular dystrophies are degenerative diseases of the central area of the retina associating primary anomalies of the retinal pigment epithelium and sensory retina. These conditions, whose hallmark is a loss of visual acuity, are a major cause of blindness and affect patients at all ages. Macular dystrophies group diseases that are heterogenous at the genetic level, as well as at the clinical, histological and physiopathological levels. Monogenic macular dystrophies are rare autosomal dominant conditions, with the exception of Stargardt disease in its typical form, which is not only relatively frequent but is also inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. During the last few years, the molecular bases of these conditions have begun to be elucidated with the identification of several responsible genes. For some macular dystrophies, this new information has confirmed pre-existing hypotheses on their pathophysiology, but for others, the discovery of the disease gene has added further complexity to the disease process. Two contradictory concepts were particularly highlighted by these genetic studies. Several phenotypes previously described as different clinical entities were brought together by the identification of mutations in the same gene, and converselyome conditions that were clinically assigned the same name, often heterogeneous at the clinical level, appeared genetically and physiopathologically heterogeneous. In addition, it is worth noting that the monogenic macular dystrophy genes were often regarded as potential factors for susceptibility to age-related macular degenerations. However, to date, only ABCA4 mutations have been associated with a minority of this frequent multifactorial condition. The aim of this article is to give a progress report on the monogenic macular dystrophy genes and to review current knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of these conditions.

Effect of membrane perturbants on the activity and phase distribution of inositol phosphorylceramide synthase; development of a novel assay

The effect of 26 different membrane-perturbing agents on the activity and phase distribution of inositol phosphorylceramide synthase (IPC synthase) activity in crude Candida albicans membranes was investigated. The nonionic detergents Triton X-100, Nonidet P-40, Brij, Tween, and octylglucoside all inactivated the enzyme. However, at moderate concentrations, the activity of the Triton X-100- and octylglucoside-solubilized material could be partially restored by inclusion of 5 mM phosphatidylinositol (PI) in the solubilization buffer. The apparent molecular mass of IPC synthase activity solubilized in 2% Triton X-100 was between 1.5 x 10(6) and 20 x 10(6) Da, while under identical conditions, octylglucoside-solubilized activity remained associated with large presumably membrane-like structures. Increased detergent concentrations produced more drastic losses of enzymatic activity. The zwitterionic detergents Empigen BB, N-dodecyl-N,N-(dimethylammonio)butyrate (DDMAB), Zwittergent 3-10, and amidosulfobetaine (ASB)-16 all appeared capable of solubilizing IPC synthase. However, these agents also inactivated the enzyme essentially irreversibly. Solubilization with lysophospholipids again resulted in drastic losses of enzymatic activity that were not restored by the inclusion of PI. Lysophosphatidylinositol also appeared to compete, to some extent, with the donor substrate phosphatidylinositol. The sterol-containing agent digitonin completely inactivated IPC synthase. By contrast, sterol-based detergents such as 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPSO), and taurodeoxycholate (tDOC) had little or no effect on the enzyme activity. The IPC synthase activity in C. albicans membranes remained largely intact and sedimentable at CHAPS concentrations (4%) where >90% of the phospholipids and 60% of the total proteins were extracted from the membranes. At 2.5% CHAPS, a concentration where approximately 50% of the protein and 80% of the phospholipids are solubilized, there was no detectable loss of enzyme activity, and it was found that the detergent-treated membranes had significantly improved properties compared to crude, untreated membranes as the source of IPC synthase activity. In contrast to assays utilizing intact membranes or Triton X-100 extracts, assays using CHAPS- or tDOC-washed membranes were found to be reproducible, completely dependent on added acceptor substrate (C(6)-7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl (NBD)-ceramide), and >95% dependent on added donor substrate (PI). Product formation was linear with respect to both enzyme concentration and time, and transfer efficiency was improved more than 20-fold as compared to assays using crude membranes. Determination of kinetic parameters for the two IPC synthase substrates using CHAPS-washed membranes resulted in K(m) values of 3.3 and 138.0 microM for C(6)-NBD-ceramide and PI, respectively. In addition, the donor substrate, PI, was found to be inhibitory at high concentrations with an apparent K(i) of 588.2 microM.

Role of cysteine residues in the NCKX2 Na+/Ca(2+)-K+ Exchanger: generation of a functional cysteine-free exchanger

Cysteine residues play an important role in many proteins, either in enzymatic activity or by mediating inter- or intramolecular interactions. The Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger plays a critical role in Ca(2+) homeostasis in retinal rod (NCKX1) and cone (NCKX2) photoreceptors by extruding Ca(2+) that enters rod and cone cells via the cGMP-gated channels. NCKX1 and NCKX2 contain five highly conserved cysteine residues. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to examine the importance of cysteine residues in NCKX2 protein function; (2) to examine their role in the interaction between NCKX2 and the CNGA subunit of the cGMP-gated channel; and (3) to generate a functional cysteine-free NCKX2 protein. The latter will facilitate structural studies taking advantage of the unique chemistry of the thiol group following insertion of cysteine residues at specific positions in the cysteine-free background. We generated a cysteine-free NCKX2 mutant protein that showed normal protein synthesis and processing and approximately 50% wild-type cation transport function. Cysteine residues were also not critical for the formation of NCKX2 homo-oligmers or NCKX2 hetero-oligomers with the CNGA subunit of the cGMP-gated channel. Our results appear to rule out a critical importance of an intramolecular disulfide linkage in NCKX2 protein synthesis and folding as had been reported before.

Molecular characterization, functional expression and tissue distribution of a second NCKX Na+/Ca2+-K+ exchanger from Drosophila

The Na+/Ca2+ -K+ exchanger (NCKX) utilizes the inward Na+ gradient and the outward K+ gradient to promote Ca2+ extrusion from cells. Here, we have characterized a second NCKX from Drosophila. Based on its chromosomal location (X chromosome) we have named it Ncxk-x. Three splice variants were isolated with three distinct N-terminal sequences. NCKX-X differs from NCKX proteins described so far in other species by lacking an N-terminal signal peptide. Heterologous expression of the respective cDNA's resulted in NCKX-X protein expression and K+ -dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity for two of the three splice variants. Transcript localization of Nckx-x was investigated and compared with that previously described by us for Nckx30C.

Proteolytic shedding of the extracellular domain of photoreceptor cadherin. Implications for outer segment assembly

Photoreceptor cadherin (prCAD) is a distinctive cadherin family member that is concentrated at the base of rod and cone outer segments and is required for their structural integrity. During retinal development, prCAD localizes to the site of the future outer segment before rhodopsin or other phototransduction proteins. In vivo, prCAD undergoes a single proteolytic cleavage that releases the ectodomain as a soluble fragment. The C-terminal fragment containing the transmembrane and cytosolic domains remains associated with the outer segment. In rds(-/-) retinas, in which outer segment assembly is severely disrupted because of the absence of retinal degeneration slow (RDS)/peripherin, an essential outer segment structural protein, the level of prCAD is increased, whereas the levels of other outer segment proteins are decreased relative to wild type retinas. Additionally, the ratio of intact:cleaved prCAD polypeptides is increased in rds(-/-) retinas. These data imply that prCAD ectodomain cleavage is an integral part of the outer segment assembly process, and they further suggest that outer segment assembly might be driven, at least in part, by the near irreversibility of proteolysis.

Uncoupling of photoreceptor peripherin/rds fusogenic activity from biosynthesis, subunit assembly, and targeting: a potential mechanism for pathogenic effects

Inherited defects in the RDS gene cause a multiplicity of progressive retinal diseases in humans. The gene product, peripherin/rds (P/rds), is a member of the tetraspanin protein family required for normal vertebrate photoreceptor outer segment (OS) architecture. Although its molecular function remains uncertain, P/rds has been suggested to catalyze membrane fusion events required for the OS renewal process. This study investigates the importance of two charged residues within a predicted C-terminal helical region for protein biosynthesis, localization, and interaction with model membranes. Targeted mutagenesis was utilized to neutralize charges at Glu(321) and Lys(324) individually and in combination to generate three mutant variants. Studies were conducted on variants expressed as 1) full-length P/rds in COS-1 cells, 2) glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins in Escherichia coli, and 3) membrane-associated green fluorescent protein fusion proteins in transgenic Xenopus laevis. None of the mutations affected biosynthesis of full-length P/rds in COS-1 cells as assessed by Western blotting, sedimentation velocity, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Although all mutations reside within a recently identified localization signal, none altered the ability of this region to direct OS targeting in transgenic X. laevis retinas. In contrast, individual or simultaneous neutralization of the charged amino acids Glu(321) and Lys(324) abolished the ability of the C-terminal domain to promote model membrane fusion as assayed by lipid mixing. These results demonstrate that, although overlapping, C-terminal determinants responsible for OS targeting and fusogenicity are separable and that fusogenic activity has been uncoupled from other protein properties. The observation that subunit assembly and OS targeting can both proceed normally in the absence of fusogenic activity suggests that properly assembled and targeted yet functionally altered proteins could potentially generate pathogenic effects within the vertebrate photoreceptor.

Genetic factors of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States and developed countries. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of AMD remain unknown, a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors is thought to exist. The incidence and progression of all of the features of AMD are known to increase significantly with age. The tendency for familial aggregation and the findings of gene variation association studies implicate a significant genetic component in the development of AMD. This review summarizes in detail the AMD-related genes identified by studies on genetically engineered and spontaneously gene-mutated (naturally mutated) animals, AMD chromosomal loci identified by linkage studies, AMD-related genes identified through studies of monogenic degenerative retinal diseases, and AMD-related gene variation identified by association studies.

Subunit contributions to phosphorylation-dependent modulation of bovine rod cyclic nucleotide-gated channels

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in rod photoreceptors transduce a decrease in cGMP into hyperpolarization during the light response. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) increases light responses by increasing the cGMP sensitivity of CNG channels, an event mediated by a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Native rod CNG channels are heteromultimers, composed of three CNGA1 subunits and one CNGB1 subunit. Previous studies on heterologously expressed rod CNG channels show that a specific tyrosine in the CNGA1 subunit (Y498) is required for modulation by protein tyrosine phosphatases, protein tyrosine kinases and IGF-1. Here we show that the CNGB1 subunit contains a specific tyrosine (Y1097) that is important for modulation of heteromeric channels by tyrosine phosphorylation. Direct biochemical measurements demonstrate 32P-labelling of CNGA1Y498 and CNGB1Y1097. Replacement of either Y498 of CNGA1 or Y1097 of CNGB1 with phenylalanine reduces modulation, and removal of both tyrosines eliminates modulation. Unlike CNGA1, CNGB1 does not exhibit activity dependence of modulation by tyrosine phosphorylation. Hence both CNGA1 and CNGB1 subunits contribute to phosphorylation-dependent modulation of rod CNG channels, but the phosphorylation states of the two subunits are regulated in different ways.

The C terminus of peripherin/rds participates in rod outer segment targeting and alignment of disk incisures

Protein targeting is essential for domain specialization in polarized cells. In photoreceptors, three distinct membrane domains exist in the outer segment: plasma membrane, disk lamella, and disk rim. Peripherin/retinal degeneration slow (rds) and rom-1 are photoreceptor-specific members of the transmembrane 4 superfamily of transmembrane proteins, which participate in disk morphogenesis and localize to rod outer segment (ROS) disk rims. We examined the role of their C termini in targeting by generating transgenic Xenopus laevis expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins. A GFP fusion containing residues 317-336 of peripherin/rds localized uniformly to disk membranes. A longer fusion (residues 307-346) also localized to the ROS but exhibited higher affinity for disk rims than disk lamella. In contrast, the rom-1 C terminus did not promote ROS localization. The GFP-peripherin/rds fusion proteins did not immunoprecipitate with peripherin/rds or rom-1, suggesting this region does not form intermolecular interactions and is not involved in subunit assembly. Presence of GFP-peripherin/rds fusions correlated with disrupted incisures, disordered ROS tips, and membrane whorls. These abnormalities may reflect competition of the fusion proteins for other proteins that interact with peripherin/rds. This work describes novel roles for the C terminus of peripherin/rds in targeting and maintaining ROS structure and its potential involvement in inherited retinal degenerations.

The Ca-activated Cl channel and its control in rat olfactory receptor neurons

Odorants activate sensory transduction in olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) via a cAMP-signaling cascade, which results in the opening of nonselective, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. The consequent Ca2+ influx through CNG channels activates Cl channels, which serve to amplify the transduction signal. We investigate here some general properties of this Ca-activated Cl channel in rat, as well as its functional interplay with the CNG channel, by using inside-out membrane patches excised from ORN dendritic knobs/cilia. At physiological concentrations of external divalent cations, the maximally activated Cl current was approximately 30 times as large as the CNG current. The Cl channels on an excised patch could be activated by Ca2+ flux through the CNG channels opened by cAMP. The magnitude of the Cl current depended on the strength of Ca buffering in the bath solution, suggesting that the CNG and Cl channels were probably not organized as constituents of a local transducisome complex. Likewise, Cl channels and the Na/Ca exchanger, which extrudes Ca2+, appear to be spatially segregated. Based on the theory of buffered Ca2+ diffusion, we determined the Ca2+ diffusion coefficient and calculated that the CNG and Cl channel densities on the membrane were approximately 8 and 62 micro m-2, respectively. These densities, together with the Ca2+ diffusion coefficient, demonstrate that a given Cl channel is activated by Ca2+ originating from multiple CNG channels, thus allowing low-noise amplification of the olfactory receptor current.

Mathematical model of the spatio-temporal dynamics of second messengers in visual transduction

A model describing the role of transversal and longitudinal diffusion of cGMP and Ca(2+) in signaling in the rod outer segment of vertebrates is developed. Utilizing a novel notion of surface-volume reaction and the mathematical theories of homogenization and concentrated capacity, the diffusion of cGMP and Ca(2+) in the inter-disc spaces is shown to be reducible to a one-parameter family of diffusion processes taking place on a single rod cross section; whereas the diffusion in the outer shell is shown to be reducible to a diffusion on a cylindrical surface. Moreover, the exterior flux of the former serves as a source term for the latter, alleviating the assumption of a well-stirred cytosol. A previous model of visual transduction that assumes a well-stirred rod outer segment cytosol (and thus contains no spatial information) can be recovered from this model by imposing a "bulk" assumption. The model shows that upon activation of a single rhodopsin, cGMP changes are local, and exhibit both a longitudinal and a transversal component. Consequently, membrane current is also highly localized. The spatial spread of the single photon response along the longitudinal axis of the outer segment is predicted to be 3-5 microm, consistent with experimental data. This approach represents a tool to analyze point-wise signaling dynamics without requiring averaging over the entire cell by global Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

The genetics of inherited macular dystrophies

The inherited macular dystrophies comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by central visual loss and atrophy of the macula and underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The different forms of macular degeneration encompass a wide range of clinical, psychophysical and histological findings. The complexity of the molecular basis of monogenic macular disease is now beginning to be elucidated with the identification of many of the disease-causing genes. Age related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blind registration in the developed world, may also have a significant genetic component to its aetiology. Genes implicated in monogenic macular dystrophies are good candidate susceptibility genes for ARMD, although to date, with the possible exception of ABCA4, none of these genes have been shown to confer increased risk of ARMD. The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge relating to the monogenic macular dystrophies, with discussion of currently mapped genes, chromosomal loci and genotype-phenotype relationships. Inherited systemic disorders with a macular dystrophy component will not be discussed.

Molecular modeling studies on CNG channel from bovine retinal rod: a structural model of the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain

A dimeric model of the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain of the all-alpha homomeric cyclic nucleotide-gated channel from bovine retinal rod is constructed. The model, based on the structure of the fairly homologous catabolite gene activator protein (Weber and Steitz, J Mol Biol 1987;198:311-326), is obtained by use of comparative modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Our model provides a structural basis for the experimentally measured difference in activity between cAMP and cGMP, as well as the different solvent accessibilities of GLY597 in the complex with cGMP, with cAMP and in the protein in free state. In addition, it provides support for the rearrangement of the domain C helix on ligand binding and releasing proposed by Matulef et al. (Neuron 1999;24:443-452).

The role of subunit assembly in peripherin-2 targeting to rod photoreceptor disk membranes and retinitis pigmentosa

Peripherin-2 is a member of the tetraspanin family of membrane proteins that plays a critical role in photoreceptor outer segment disk morphogenesis. Mutations in peripherin-2 are responsible for various retinal degenerative diseases including autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). To identify determinants required for peripherin-2 targeting to disk membranes and elucidate mechanisms underlying ADRP, we have generated transgenic Xenopus tadpoles expressing wild-type and ADRP-linked peripherin-2 mutants as green fluorescent fusion proteins in rod photoreceptors. Wild-type peripherin-2 and P216L and C150S mutants, which assemble as tetramers, targeted to disk membranes as visualized by confocal and electron microscopy. In contrast the C214S and L185P mutants, which form homodimers, but not tetramers, were retained in the rod inner segment. Only the P216L disease mutant induced photoreceptor degeneration. These results indicate that tetramerization is required for peripherin-2 targeting and incorporation into disk membranes. Tetramerization-defective mutants cause ADRP through a deficiency in wild-type peripherin-2, whereas tetramerization-competent P216L peripherin-2 causes ADRP through a dominant negative effect, possibly arising from the introduction of a new oligosaccharide chain that destabilizes disks. Our results further indicate that a checkpoint between the photoreceptor inner and outer segments allows only correctly assembled peripherin-2 tetramers to be incorporated into nascent disk membranes.

Regulation of the rod photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated channel

The cGMP-gated channel of rod photoreceptors plays a key role in phototransduction by controlling the flow of cations into the outer segment in response to light-induced changes in cGMP. The channel is a heterotetramer composed of alpha-subunits required for channel activity and beta-subunits that are important in modulating the activity of channel. Earlier studies have shown that exogenous calmodulin binds to the beta-subunit of the channel and modulates the sensitivity of the channel for cGMP in a calcium dependent manner. In addition unidentified Ca2+-dependent endogenous proteins have been reported to modulate the activity of the frog rod channel. In this paper, we investigated whether endogenous calmodulin and other Ca2+ binding proteins interact with and modulate the cGMP-gated channel in bovine rod outer segments. Using immunoaffinity techniques in conjunction with ion flux assays, we show that endogenous calmodulin, but not other Ca2+ dependent proteins, binds and modulates the rod cGMP-gated channel in bovine rod outer segments. We also show that the beta-subunit of the channel is phosphorylated by endogenous and exogenous casein kinase 2. This posttranslational modification, however, does not alter the sensitivity of the channel for cGMP.

Two trans-sialidase forms with different sialic acid transfer and sialidase activities from Trypanosoma congolense

Trypanosomes express an enzyme called trans-sialidase (TS), which enables the parasites to transfer sialic acids from the environment onto trypanosomal surface molecules. Here we describe the purification and characterization of two TS forms from the African trypanosome Trypanosoma congolense. The purification of the two TS forms using a combination of anion exchange chromatography, isoelectric focusing, gel filtration, and subsequently, antibody affinity chromatography resulted, in both cases, in the isolation of a 90-kDa monomer on SDS-PAGE, which was identified as trans-sialidase using micro-sequencing. Monoclonal antibody 7/23, which bound and partially inhibited TS activity, was found in both cases to bind to a 90-kDa protein. Both TS forms possessed sialidase and transfer activity, but markedly differed in their activity ratios. The TS form with a high transfer-to-sialidase activity ratio, referred to as TS-form 1, possessed a pI of pH 4-5 and a molecular mass of 350-600 kDa. In contrast, the form with a low transfer-to-sialidase activity ratio, referred to as TS-form 2, exhibited a pI of pH 5-6.5 and a molecular mass of 130-180 kDa. Both TS forms were not significantly inhibited by known sialidase inhibitors and revealed no significant differences in donor and acceptor substrate specificities; however, TS-form 1 utilized various acceptor substrates with a higher catalytic efficiency. Interestingly, glutamic acid-alanine-rich protein, the surface glycoprotein, was co-purified with TS-form 1 suggesting an association between both proteins.

Molecular characterization of the skate peripherin/rds gene: relationship to its orthologues and paralogues

PURPOSE

A great deal of information about functionally significant domains of a protein may be obtained by comparison of primary sequences of gene homologues over a broad phylogenetic base. This study was designed to identify evolutionarily conserved domains of the photoreceptor disc membrane protein peripherin/rds by analysis of the homologue in a primitive vertebrate, the skate.

METHODS

A skate retinal cDNA library was screened using a mouse peripherin/rds clone. The 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the skate peripherin/rds (srds) cDNA were isolated by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approach. The gene structure was characterized by PCR amplification and sequencing of genomic fragments. Northern and Western blot analyses were used to identify srds transcript and protein, respectively.

RESULTS

A new homologue of peripherin/rds was identified from the skate retinal cDNA library. SRDS is a glycoprotein with a predicted molecular mass of 40.2 kDa. The srds gene consists of two exons and one small intron and transcribes into a single 6-kb message. Phylogenetic analysis places SRDS at the base of peripherin/rds family and near the division of that group and the branch leading to rds-like and rom-1 genes. SRDS protein is 54.5% identical with peripherin/rds across species. Identity is significantly higher (73%) in the intradiscal domains. Sequence comparison revealed the conservation of all residues that have been shown, on mutation, to associate with retinitis pigmentosa and showed conservation of most residues associated with macular dystrophies. Comparison with ROM-1 and other rds-like proteins revealed the presence of a highly conserved domain in the large intradiscal loop.

CONCLUSIONS

Srds represents the skate orthologue of mammalian peripherin/rds genes. Conservation of most of the residues associated with human retinal diseases indicates that these residues serve important functional roles. The high degree of conservation of a short stretch within the large intradiscal loop also suggests an important function for this domain.

The SLC24 Na+/Ca2+-K+ exchanger family: vision and beyond

Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchange (NCKX) was first discovered in the outer segments of vertebrate rod photoreceptors (ROS), where it is the only mechanism for extruding the Ca(2+) that enters ROS via the light-sensitive and cGMP-gated channels. ROS NCKX1 is the only NCKX gene family member studied extensively in situ. ROS NCKX1 cDNAs have been cloned subsequently from a number of species including man and shown to be the first member of a new gene family ( SLCA24). Three further members of the human NCKX gene family have been cloned subsequently ( NCKX2- 4) by homology with NCKX1, while a partial sequence of a fifth human NCKX gene has appeared in the data base. NCKX-related genes have also been identified in lower animals including fruit flies, worms and sea urchins. NCKX2 is expressed in the brain, in retinal cone photoreceptors and in retinal ganglion cells, while NCKX3 and NCKX4 show a broader expression pattern. In situ NCKX1 and heterologously expressed NCKX2 operate at a 4Na(+):1Ca(2+)+1 K(+) stoichiometry; both NCKX1 and NCKX2 are bidirectional transporters normally extruding Ca(2+) from the cell (forward exchange), but also able to carry Ca(2+) into the cell (reverse exchange) when the transmembrane Na(+) gradient is reversed. Sequence changes have been observed for both NCKX1 and NCKX2 in patients with retinal diseases, but a definitive association with retinal disease has not been shown.

Assembly of retinal rod or cone Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger oligomers with cGMP-gated channel subunits as probed with heterologously expressed cDNAs

Proper control of intracellular free Ca(2+) is thought to involve subsets of proteins that co-localize to mediate coordinated Ca(2+) entry and Ca(2+) extrusion. The outer segments of vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors present one example: Ca(2+) influx is exclusively mediated via cGMP-gated channels (CNG), whereas the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger (NCKX) is the only Ca(2+) extrusion protein present. In situ, a rod NCKX homodimer and a CNG heterotetramer are thought to be part of a single protein complex. However, NCKX-NCKX and NCKX-CNG interactions have been described so far only in bovine rod outer segment membranes. We have used thiol-specific cross-linking and co-immunoprecipitation to examine NCKX self-assembly and CNG-NCKX co-assembly after heterologous expression of either the rod or cone NCKX/CNG isoforms. Co-immunoprecipitation clearly demonstrated both NCKX homooligomerization and interactions between NCKX and CNG. The NCKX-NCKX and NCKX-CNG interactions were observed for both the rod and the cone isoforms. Thiol-specific cross-linking led to rod NCKX1 dimers and to cone NCKX2 adducts of an apparent molecular weight higher than that predicted for a NCKX2 dimer. The mass of the cross-link product critically depended on the location of the particular cysteine residue used by the cross-linker, and we cannot exclude that NCKX forms a higher oligomer. The NCKX-NCKX and NCKX-CNG interactions were not isoform-specific (i.e., rod NCKX could interact with cone NCKX, rod NCKX could interact with cone CNGA, and vice versa). Deletion of the two large hydrophilic loops from the NCKX protein did not abolish the NCKX oligomerization, suggesting that it is mediated by the highly conserved transmembrane spanning segments.

Two B or not two B? Questioning the rotational symmetry of tetrameric ion channels

Members of the voltage-gated family of ion channels generally demonstrate rotational symmetry about their pore regions. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of this family, the cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, may deviate from this pattern of rotational symmetry by having 3A:1B subunit stoichiometry. This finding raises many questions about the function, assembly, and trafficking of these and related ion channels and about the functional nonequivalence of subunits with identical amino acid sequences.

Subunit stoichiometry of the CNG channel of rod photoreceptors

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels play a central role in the conversion of sensory stimuli into electrical signals. CNG channels form heterooligomeric complexes built of A and B subunits. Here, we study the subunit stoichiometry of the native rod CNG channel by chemical crosslinking. The apparent molecular weight (M(w)) of each crosslink product was determined by SDS-PAGE, and its composition was analyzed by Western blotting using antibodies specific for the A1 or B1 subunit. The number of crosslink products and their M(w) as well as the immunological identification of A1 and B1 subunits in the crosslink products led us to conclude that the native rod CNG channel is a tetramer composed of three A1 and one B1 subunit. This is an example of violation of symmetry in tetrameric channels.

The heteromeric cyclic nucleotide-gated channel adopts a 3A:1B stoichiometry

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are crucial for visual and olfactory transductions. These channels are tetramers and in their native forms are composed of A and B subunits, with a stoichiometry thought to be 2A:2B (refs 6, 7). Here we report the identification of a leucine-zipper-homology domain named CLZ (for carboxy-terminal leucine zipper). This domain is present in the distal C terminus of CNG channel A subunits but is absent from B subunits, and mediates an inter-subunit interaction. With cross-linking, non-denaturing gel electrophoresis and analytical centrifugation, this CLZ domain was found to mediate a trimeric interaction. In addition, a mutant cone CNG channel A subunit with its CLZ domain replaced by a generic trimeric leucine zipper produced channels that behaved much like the wild type, but less so if replaced by a dimeric or tetrameric leucine zipper. This A-subunit-only, trimeric interaction suggests that heteromeric CNG channels actually adopt a 3A:1B stoichiometry. Biochemical analysis of the purified bovine rod CNG channel confirmed this conclusion. This revised stoichiometry provides a new foundation for understanding the structure and function of the CNG channel family.

Binding of the retinal rod Na+/Ca2+-K+ exchanger to the cGMP-gated channel indicates local Ca(2+)-signaling in vertebrate photoreceptors

Ca(2+) ions enter the outer segment of rod or cone photoreceptors exclusively through the cGMP-gated channel and are extruded by the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger. Recent evidence indicates that in the plasma membrane, the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger is associated with the cGMP-gated channel. In this contribution, the possible physiologic significance of this protein complex is considered. Based on recent experimental evidence, the possibility of a direct functional interaction between the cGMP-gated channel and the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger is discussed. Furthermore, a quantitative estimation of the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) diffusion at the cGMP-gated channel indicates that Ca(2+) diffusion is largely confined to the complex of the cGMP-gated channel and the associated Na(+)/Ca(2+)-K(+) exchanger molecules.

Association of a photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin protein, ROM-1, with triton X-100-resistant membrane rafts from rod outer segment disk membranes

This study reports the isolation and characterization of a Triton X-100-resistant membrane fraction from homogenates of rod outer segment (ROS) disk membranes purified free of the surrounding plasma membrane. A portion of the ROS disk membrane was found to be resistant to Triton X-100 extraction at 4 degrees C. This detergent-resistant fraction was isolated as a low buoyant density band on sucrose density gradients and exhibited an increase in light scattering detected at 600 nm. Biochemical analysis of the Triton X-100-resistant fraction showed it to be enriched in cholesterol and sphingomyelin relative to phospholipid and in phospholipid relative to protein compared with the soluble fraction. The Triton X-100-resistant membranes described herein did not arise simply from partial solubilization of the ROS disk membranes because detergent-treated low buoyant density fractions isolated from homogenates with octyl glucopyranoside had cholesterol and sphingomyelin content indistinguishable from that of solubilized ROS disk homogenates. Analysis of proteins associated with the Triton X-100-resistant fraction showed it to be enriched in the rim-specific protein ROM-1 and caveolin; surprisingly, the fusion protein peripherin/rds (where rds is retinal degeneration slow), also localized to the disk rim, was entirely absent from the membrane raft domain. The lipid profiles of the Triton X-100-resistant membranes were virtually identical in preparations homogenized in either the light or dark. Slightly more ROM-1 was recovered from samples prepared in the light (23%) than from samples prepared in the dark (13%), but peripherin/rds could not be detected in either preparation. When the Triton X-100-resistant membranes were treated with methyl-beta-cyclodextran to deplete membrane cholesterol, the resultant membranes contained slightly lower levels of ROM-1, specifically in the dimeric form. Cholesterol depletion also resulted in the collapse of the large caveolin complex to monomeric caveolae. The results presented herein characterize a pool of ROM-1, a photoreceptor tetraspanin protein, that may play a regulatory role in peripherin/rds-dependent fusion.

Deletional analysis of the rod photoreceptor cell peripherin/RDS carboxy-terminal region

The C-terminal region of peripherin/rds contains three predicted alpha-helical domains. One of these domains, corresponding to amino acids 311-322, form an amphiphilic alpha-helix previously shown to promote membrane fusion. The present studies were conducted to determine how the additional alpha-helical regions of the peripherin/rds C-terminus affect complex formation with rom-1, glycosylation, intracellular localization and membrane fusion properties. Bovine peripherin/rds and rom-1 were epitope tagged with an amino-terminal FLAG-tag or amino-terminal hemagglutinin (HA)-tag, respectively, and cloned into the pCI-neo expression vector for transient transfection into COS cells. Similarly, four C-terminal peripherin/rds truncation mutants (Delta1, Delta2, Delta3 and Delta4), corresponding to deletions of -19, -29, -39 and -59 amino acids were designed to disrupt the alpha-helical domains. Immunofluorescence microscopy and enzymatic digestions demonstrated that full-length peripherin/rds and the four C-terminal deletion mutants were localized to intracellular membranes and were all Endo-H sensitive. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation studies showed that the FLAG-tagged bovine peripherin/rds (full-length) was expressed as a 76kDa dimer, which associates with HA-tagged rom-1 to form a higher order complex. The deletion mutants were also able to associate with rom-1. However, when analyzed using non-denaturing tricine electrophoresis, full-length peripherin/rds and the Delta1, Delta2 and Delta3 mutants formed homo-oligomeric complexes, while the Delta4 mutant appeared to form only homodimers suggesting a region upstream of amino acid 300 may be involved in C-terminal interactions. Membrane fusion was then evaluated using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (RET) techniques. Intracellular COS cell membranes containing full-length peripherin/rds fused with rod outer segment plasma membrane vesicles. This fusion was inhibited with the addition of a synthetic peptide (PP-5) corresponding to the fusion domain of peripherin/rds. In contrast, fusion was negligible with any of the C-terminal truncation mutants. Collectively, these results suggest that in addition to the fusion domain, other regions of the peripherin/rds C-terminus are required for fusion. Most interesting is the observation that the last 19amino acids, a region downstream of the fusion peptide that is deleted in the Delta1 mutant, appear to be necessary for fusion. This region corresponds to the epitope for anti-peripherin/rds monoclonal antibody 2B6, which is shown to partially inhibit peripherin/rds mediated membrane fusion.

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are nonselective cation channels first identified in retinal photoreceptors and olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). They are opened by the direct binding of cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP. Although their activity shows very little voltage dependence, CNG channels belong to the superfamily of voltage-gated ion channels. Like their cousins the voltage-gated K+ channels, CNG channels form heterotetrameric complexes consisting of two or three different types of subunits. Six different genes encoding CNG channels, four A subunits (A1 to A4) and two B subunits (B1 and B3), give rise to three different channels in rod and cone photoreceptors and in OSNs. Important functional features of these channels, i.e., ligand sensitivity and selectivity, ion permeation, and gating, are determined by the subunit composition of the respective channel complex. The function of CNG channels has been firmly established in retinal photoreceptors and in OSNs. Studies on their presence in other sensory and nonsensory cells have produced mixed results, and their purported roles in neuronal pathfinding or synaptic plasticity are not as well understood as their role in sensory neurons. Similarly, the function of invertebrate homologs found in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, and Limulus is largely unknown, except for two subunits of C. elegans that play a role in chemosensation. CNG channels are nonselective cation channels that do not discriminate well between alkali ions and even pass divalent cations, in particular Ca2+. Ca2+ entry through CNG channels is important for both excitation and adaptation of sensory cells. CNG channel activity is modulated by Ca2+/calmodulin and by phosphorylation. Other factors may also be involved in channel regulation. Mutations in CNG channel genes give rise to retinal degeneration and color blindness. In particular, mutations in the A and B subunits of the CNG channel expressed in human cones cause various forms of complete and incomplete achromatopsia.

Molecular architecture of a retinal cGMP-gated channel: the arrangement of the cytoplasmic domains

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels play a central role in the conversion of sensory information, such as light and scent, into primary electrical signals. We have purified the CNG channel from bovine retina and have studied it using electron microscopy and image processing. We present the structure of the channel to 35 A resolution. This three-dimensional reconstruction provides insight into the architecture of the protein, suggesting that the cyclic nucleotide-binding domains, which initiate the response to ligand, 'hang' below the pore-forming part of the channel, attached by narrow linkers. The structure also suggests that the four cyclic nucleotide-binding domains present in each channel form two distinct domains, lending structural weight to the suggestion that the four subunits of the CNG channels are arranged as a pair of dimers.

Mutual inhibition of the dimerized Na/Ca-K exchanger in rod photoreceptors

In the dark, rod photoreceptors sustain a continuous influx of Na and Ca ions through the cGMP-gated channels of the rod outer segments (ROS). Whereas Na ions are extruded in the inner segment by the Na-pump, Ca ions are extruded already in the ROS by Na/Ca-K exchange. Our previous findings indicate that in the ROS plasma membrane, exchanger and channel form a complex of two exchangers associated per channel. Here, we report evidence of a novel regulatory mechanism of the dimerized exchanger, based on the following findings: (1), thiol-specific cross-linking with dimaleimides resulted in an increase of the Na/Ca-K exchange activity which correlated with the size of the cross-linking reagent, i.e., with increasing separation of the monomers in a dimerized exchanger; (2), partial proteolysis of the exchanger also increased the exchange rate by about a factor of two; (3), disintegration of the channel-exchanger complex by solubilization of the ROS membranes and preparation of proteoliposomes resulted in a twofold enhancement of the exchange rate; however (4), partial proteolysis of proteoliposomes, in which the exchanger molecules exist as monomers, did not result in any enhancement of the exchange rate. These findings suggest an inhibitory protein domain at the contact site of the dimerized exchanger. The physiological implication of this inference will be discussed in terms of a potential allosteric regulation of the exchanger in the channel-exchanger complex.

Photoreceptor renewal: a role for peripherin/rds

Visual transduction begins with the detection of light within the photoreceptor cell layer of the retina. Within this layer, specialized cells, termed rods and cones, contain the proteins responsible for light capture and its transduction to nerve impulses. The phototransductive proteins reside within an outer segment region that is connected to an inner segment by a thin stalk rich in cytoskeletal elements. A unique property of the outer segments is the presence of an elaborate intracellular membrane system that holds the phototransduction proteins and provides the requisite lipid environment. The maintenance of normal physiological function requires that these postmitotic cells retain the unique structure of the outer segment regions--stacks of membrane saccules in the case of rods and a continuous infolding of membrane in the case of cones. Both photoreceptor rod and cone cells achieve this through a series of coordinated steps. As new membranous material is synthesized, transported, and incorporated into newly forming outer segment membranes, a compensatory shedding of older membranous material occurs, thereby maintaining the segment at a constant length. These processes are collectively referred to as ROS (rod outer segment) or COS (cone outer segment) renewal. We review the cellular and molecular events responsible for these renewal processes and present the recent but compelling evidence, drawn from molecular genetic, biochemical, and biophysical approaches, pointing to an essential role for a unique tetraspanning membrane protein, called peripherin/rds, in the processes of disk morphogenesis.