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Matsuo R, Kwon H, Takishita K, Nishi T, Matsuo Y. Expression of proteins supporting visual function in heterobranch gastropods. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00359-024-01712-7. [PMID: 39120725 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-024-01712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
To sense light, animals often utilize mechanisms that rely on visual pigments composed of opsin and retinal. The photon-induced isomerization of 11-cis-retinal to the all-trans configuration triggers phototransduction cascades, resulting in a change in the membrane potential of the photoreceptor. In mollusks, the most abundant opsin in the eye is Gq-coupled rhodopsin (Gq-rhodopsin). The Gq-rhodopsin-based visual pigment is bistable, with the regeneration of 11-cis-retinal occurring in a light-dependent manner without leaving the opsin moiety. 11-cis-retinal is also regenerated by the action of retinochrome in the cell bodies. Retinal binding protein (RALBP) mediates retinal transport between Gq-rhodopsin and retinochrome in the cytoplasm. However, recent studies have identified additional bistable opsins in mollusks, including Opn5 and xenopsin. It is unknown whether these bistable opsins require RALBP and retinochrome for the continuous regeneration of 11-cis-retinal. In the present study, we examined the expression of RALBP and retinochrome in the photoreceptors expressing Opn5 or Xenopsin in the heterobranch gastropods Limax and Peronia. Our findings revealed that retinochrome, but not RALBP, was present in some of the Opn5A-positive brain photosensory neurons of Limax. The ciliary cells in the dorsal eye of Peronia, which express Xenopsin2, lacked both retinochrome and RALBP. Therefore, bistable opsins do not necessarily depend on the RALBP-retinochrome system in a cell. We also examined the expression of other proteins that support visual function, such as β-arrestin, Gq, and Go, in all types of photoreceptors in these animals, and uncovered differences in the molecular composition among the photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Matsuo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, International College of Arts and Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan.
| | - Haeri Kwon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, International College of Arts and Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Takishita
- Department of Environmental Sciences, International College of Arts and Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan
| | - Takako Nishi
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Senshu University, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yuko Matsuo
- Department of Environmental Sciences, International College of Arts and Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 813-8529, Japan
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2
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Arshavsky VY. Vision: A specialized pathway for pigment regeneration in cones. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R726-R728. [PMID: 39106828 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Vision relies on two types of photoreceptor cells, rods and cones. Rods outnumber cones in the retinas of humans and most other vertebrate species, yet the contribution of cones to our vision is far more impactful than rods. A new study reveals an elegant enzymatic mechanism that favors light perception by cones under daylight conditions when rods are saturated by light and contribute little to useful vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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3
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Du SW, Komirisetty R, Lewandowski D, Choi EH, Panas D, Suh S, Tabaka M, Radu RA, Palczewski K. Conditional deletion of miR-204 and miR-211 in murine retinal pigment epithelium results in retinal degeneration. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107344. [PMID: 38705389 PMCID: PMC11140208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are short, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs that canonically downregulate expression of target genes. The miR family composed of miR-204 and miR-211 is among the most highly expressed miRs in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in both mouse and human and also retains high sequence identity. To assess the role of this miR family in the developed mouse eye, we generated two floxed conditional KO mouse lines crossed to the RPE65-ERT2-Cre driver mouse line to perform an RPE-specific conditional KO of this miR family in adult mice. After Cre-mediated deletion, we observed retinal structural changes by optical coherence tomography; dysfunction and loss of photoreceptors by retinal imaging; and retinal inflammation marked by subretinal infiltration of immune cells by imaging and immunostaining. Single-cell RNA sequencing of diseased RPE and retinas showed potential miR-regulated target genes, as well as changes in noncoding RNAs in the RPE, rod photoreceptors, and Müller glia. This work thus highlights the role of miR-204 and miR-211 in maintaining RPE function and how the loss of miRs in the RPE exerts effects on the neural retina, leading to inflammation and retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Du
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
| | - Ravikiran Komirisetty
- Department of Ophthalmology and UCLA Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dominik Lewandowski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Elliot H Choi
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Damian Panas
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Susie Suh
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Marcin Tabaka
- International Centre for Translational Eye Research, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roxana A Radu
- Department of Ophthalmology and UCLA Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute-Center for Translational Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
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4
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Bassetto M, Kolesnikov AV, Lewandowski D, Kiser JZ, Halabi M, Einstein DE, Choi EH, Palczewski K, Kefalov VJ, Kiser PD. Dominant role for pigment epithelial CRALBP in supplying visual chromophore to photoreceptors. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114143. [PMID: 38676924 PMCID: PMC11211020 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) supports production of 11-cis-retinaldehyde and its delivery to photoreceptors. It is found in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG), but the relative functional importance of these two cellular pools is debated. Here, we report RPE- and MG-specific CRALBP knockout (KO) mice and examine their photoreceptor and visual cycle function. Bulk visual chromophore regeneration in RPE-KO mice is 15-fold slower than in controls, accounting for their delayed rod dark adaptation and protection against retinal phototoxicity, whereas MG-KO mice have normal bulk visual chromophore regeneration and retinal light damage susceptibility. Cone pigment regeneration is significantly impaired in RPE-KO mice but mildly affected in MG-KO mice, disclosing an unexpectedly strong reliance of cone photoreceptors on the RPE-based visual cycle. These data reveal a dominant role for RPE-CRALBP in supporting rod and cone function and highlight the importance of RPE cell targeting for CRALBP gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bassetto
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Research Service, Tibor Rubin VA Long Beach Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA; Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Alexander V Kolesnikov
- Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Dominik Lewandowski
- Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jianying Z Kiser
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Maximilian Halabi
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - David E Einstein
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Research Service, Tibor Rubin VA Long Beach Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA
| | - Elliot H Choi
- Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Vladimir J Kefalov
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Research Service, Tibor Rubin VA Long Beach Medical Center, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA; Center for Translational Vision Research, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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5
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Andreazzoli M, Longoni B, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Retinoid Synthesis Regulation by Retinal Cells in Health and Disease. Cells 2024; 13:871. [PMID: 38786093 PMCID: PMC11120330 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vision starts in retinal photoreceptors when specialized proteins (opsins) sense photons via their covalently bonded vitamin A derivative 11cis retinaldehyde (11cis-RAL). The reaction of non-enzymatic aldehydes with amino groups lacks specificity, and the reaction products may trigger cell damage. However, the reduced synthesis of 11cis-RAL results in photoreceptor demise and suggests the need for careful control over 11cis-RAL handling by retinal cells. This perspective focuses on retinoid(s) synthesis, their control in the adult retina, and their role during retina development. It also explores the potential importance of 9cis vitamin A derivatives in regulating retinoid synthesis and their impact on photoreceptor development and survival. Additionally, recent advancements suggesting the pivotal nature of retinoid synthesis regulation for cone cell viability are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biancamaria Longoni
- Department of Translational Medicine and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Debora Angeloni
- The Institute of Biorobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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6
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Du X, Butler AG, Chen HY. Cell-cell interaction in the pathogenesis of inherited retinal diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1332944. [PMID: 38500685 PMCID: PMC10944940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1332944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The retina is part of the central nervous system specialized for vision. Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogenous disorders that lead to progressive vision impairment or blindness. Although each disorder is rare, IRD accumulatively cause blindness in up to 5.5 million individuals worldwide. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanisms of IRD are not fully understood and there are limited treatment options available. Most IRD are caused by degeneration of light-sensitive photoreceptors. Genetic mutations that abrogate the structure and/or function of photoreceptors lead to visual impairment followed by blindness caused by loss of photoreceptors. In healthy retina, photoreceptors structurally and functionally interact with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glia (MG) to maintain retinal homeostasis. Multiple IRD with photoreceptor degeneration as a major phenotype are caused by mutations of RPE- and/or MG-associated genes. Recent studies also reveal compromised MG and RPE caused by mutations in ubiquitously expressed ciliary genes. Therefore, photoreceptor degeneration could be a direct consequence of gene mutations and/or could be secondary to the dysfunction of their interaction partners in the retina. This review summarizes the mechanisms of photoreceptor-RPE/MG interaction in supporting retinal functions and discusses how the disruption of these processes could lead to photoreceptor degeneration, with an aim to provide a unique perspective of IRD pathogenesis and treatment paradigm. We will first describe the biology of retina and IRD and then discuss the interaction between photoreceptors and MG/RPE as well as their implications in disease pathogenesis. Finally, we will summarize the recent advances in IRD therapeutics targeting MG and/or RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Holly Y. Chen
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Hong JD, Salom D, Choi EH, Du SW, Tworak A, Smidak R, Gao F, Solano YJ, Zhang J, Kiser PD, Palczewski K. Retinylidene chromophore hydrolysis from mammalian visual and non-visual opsins. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105678. [PMID: 38272218 PMCID: PMC10877631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin (Rho) and cone opsins are essential for detection of light. They respond via photoisomerization, converting their Schiff-base-adducted 11-cis-retinylidene chromophores to the all-trans configuration, eliciting conformational changes to activate opsin signaling. Subsequent Schiff-base hydrolysis releases all-trans-retinal, initiating two important cycles that maintain continuous vision-the Rho photocycle and visual cycle pathway. Schiff-base hydrolysis has been thoroughly studied with photoactivated Rho but not with cone opsins. Using established methodology, we directly measured the formation of Schiff-base between retinal chromophores with mammalian visual and nonvisual opsins of the eye. Next, we determined the rate of light-induced chromophore hydrolysis. We found that retinal hydrolysis from photoactivated cone opsins was markedly faster than from photoactivated Rho. Bovine retinal G protein-coupled receptor (bRGR) displayed rapid hydrolysis of its 11-cis-retinylidene photoproduct to quickly supply 11-cis-retinal and re-bind all-trans-retinal. Hydrolysis within bRGR in native retinal pigment epithelium microsomal membranes was >6-times faster than that of bRGR purified in detergent micelles. N-terminal-targeted antibodies significantly slowed bRGR hydrolysis, while C-terminal antibodies had no effect. Our study highlights the much faster photocycle of cone opsins relative to Rho and the crucial role of RGR in chromophore recycling in daylight. By contrast, in our experimental conditions, bovine peropsin did not form pigment in the presence of all-trans-retinal nor with any mono-cis retinal isomers, leaving uncertain the role of this opsin as a light sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Hong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - David Salom
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
| | - Elliot H Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Samuel W Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Aleksander Tworak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Roman Smidak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Fangyuan Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Yasmeen J Solano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Philip D Kiser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Research Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.
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8
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Rozanowska M, Edge R, Land EJ, Navaratnam S, Sarna T, Truscott TG. Scavenging of Cation Radicals of the Visual Cycle Retinoids by Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Taurine, and Melanin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:506. [PMID: 38203675 PMCID: PMC10779001 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In the retina, retinoids involved in vision are under constant threat of oxidation, and their oxidation products exhibit deleterious properties. Using pulse radiolysis, this study determined that the bimolecular rate constants of scavenging cation radicals of retinoids by taurine are smaller than 2 × 107 M-1s-1 whereas lutein scavenges cation radicals of all three retinoids with the bimolecular rate constants approach the diffusion-controlled limits, while zeaxanthin is only 1.4-1.6-fold less effective. Despite that lutein exhibits greater scavenging rate constants of retinoid cation radicals than other antioxidants, the greater concentrations of ascorbate in the retina suggest that ascorbate may be the main protectant of all visual cycle retinoids from oxidative degradation, while α-tocopherol may play a substantial role in the protection of retinaldehyde but is relatively inefficient in the protection of retinol or retinyl palmitate. While the protection of retinoids by lutein and zeaxanthin appears inefficient in the retinal periphery, it can be quite substantial in the macula. Although the determined rate constants of scavenging the cation radicals of retinol and retinaldehyde by dopa-melanin are relatively small, the high concentration of melanin in the RPE melanosomes suggests they can be scavenged if they are in proximity to melanin-containing pigment granules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Rozanowska
- Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Ruth Edge
- Dalton Cumbrian Facility, The University of Manchester, Westlakes Science Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3HA, UK;
| | - Edward J. Land
- The Paterson Institute, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK;
| | - Suppiah Navaratnam
- Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, UK;
| | - Tadeusz Sarna
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - T. George Truscott
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Lennard-Jones Building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK;
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Ren C, Cui H, Bao X, Huang L, He S, Fong HKW, Zhao M. Proteopathy Linked to Exon-Skipping Isoform of RGR-Opsin Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:41. [PMID: 37883094 PMCID: PMC10615142 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.13.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Proteopathy is believed to contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Much research indicates that AMD begins in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is associated with formation of extracellular drusen, a clinical hallmark of AMD. Human RPE produces a drusen-associated abnormal protein, the exon Ⅵ-skipping splice isoform of retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR-d). In this study, we investigate the detrimental effects of RGR-d on cultured cells and mouse retina. Methods ARPE-19 cells were stably infected by lentivirus overexpressing RGR or RGR-d and were treated with MG132, sometimes combined with or without endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer, tunicamycin. RGR and RGR-d protein expression, degeneration pathway, and potential cytotoxicity were explored. Homozygous RGR-d mice aged 8 or 14 months were fed with a high-fat diet for 3 months and then subjected to ocular examination and histopathology experiments. Results We confirm that RGR-d is proteotoxic under various conditions. In ARPE-19 cells, RGR-d is misfolded and almost completely degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Unlike normal RGR, RGR-d increases ER stress, triggers the unfolded protein response, and exerts potent cytotoxicity. Aged RGR-d mice manifest disrupted RPE cell integrity, apoptotic photoreceptors, choroidal deposition of complement C3, and CD86+CD32+ proinflammatory cell infiltration into retina and RPE-choroid. Furthermore, the AMD-like phenotype of RGR-d mice can be aggravated by a high-fat diet. Conclusions Our study confirmed the pathogenicity of the RGR splice isoform and corroborated a significant role of proteopathy in AMD. These findings may contribute to greater comprehension of the multifactorial causes of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Ren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Disease and Optometry Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Haoran Cui
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Disease and Optometry Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Bao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Disease and Optometry Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Lvzhen Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Disease and Optometry Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shikun He
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Henry K. W. Fong
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Mingwei Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Disease and Optometry Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China
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