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Jentzsch MC, Tsang SH, Koch SF. A New Preclinical Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to Pde6g Deficiency. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2023; 3:100332. [PMID: 37363133 PMCID: PMC10285708 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of inherited blindness, with onset occurring as early as 4 years of age in certain rare but severe forms caused by mutations in the gamma subunit of phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6). Studies in humans and mice have shown that RP pathology begins with progressive photoreceptor death, which then drives changes in downstream neurons, neighboring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and vasculature. Here, we present the first detailed analysis of RP disease progression in Pde6g-deficient mice. Design Experimental study of an RP mouse model. Subjects We studied Pde6g-/- and Pde6g+/- mice at the age of 7, 16, 30, 44, and 56 days with n = 2 to 5 per group and time point. Methods Photoreceptor degeneration and retinal remodeling were analyzed in retinal sections by immunofluorescence. Retinal blood vessel degradation was analyzed in flat-mounted retinas immunolabeled for isolectin GS-IB4. Protein expression was measured by immunoblot. Acellular capillaries were assessed in trypsin-digested and hematoxylin-eosin-stained retinas at postnatal day (P) 44. Retinal pigment epithelium cells were delineated in flat-mounted RPE-choroid-sclera by immunolabeling for the cell-adhesion protein β-catenin. Main Outcome Measures Immunofluorescence and morphometry (quantitative analysis of outer nuclear layer, dendrite area, vessel area, acellular vessels, RPE cell size, number of nuclei per RPE cell, RPE cell eccentricity, and RPE cell solidity). Results This novel RP model exhibits early onset and rapid rod degeneration, with the vast majority gone by P16. This pathology leads to retinal remodeling, including changes of inner retinal neurons, early activation of glia cells, degradation of retinal vasculature, and structural abnormalities of the RPE. Conclusions The pathology in our Pde6g-/- mouse model precisely mirrors human RP progression. The results demonstrate the significant role of the gamma subunit in maintaining phosphodiesterase activity and provide new insights into the disease progression due to Pde6g deficiency. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Carmen Jentzsch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Jonas Children’s Vision Care, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Institute of Human Nutrition, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Susanne Friederike Koch
- Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Tosi J, Davis RJ, Wang NK, Naumann M, Lin CS, Tsang SH. shRNA knockdown of guanylate cyclase 2e or cyclic nucleotide gated channel alpha 1 increases photoreceptor survival in a cGMP phosphodiesterase mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. J Cell Mol Med 2012; 15:1778-87. [PMID: 20950332 PMCID: PMC3071858 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2010.01201.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate rods, dark and light conditions produce changes in guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and calcium (Ca2+) levels, which are regulated by the opposing function of several proteins. During the recovery of a bright flash, guanylate cyclase (GUCY) helps raise cGMP to levels that open cGMP-gated calcium sodium channels (CNG) to increase Na+ and Ca2+ influx in the outer segment. In contrast, light activates cGMP phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) causing rapid hydrolysis of cGMP, CNG closure, and reduced Na+ and Ca2+ levels. In Pde6b mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), photoreceptor death is preceded by abnormally high cGMP and Ca2+ levels, likely because of continued synthesis of cGMP by guanylate cyclases and unregulated influx of Ca2+ to toxic levels through CNG channels. To reverse the effects of Pde6b loss of function, we employed an shRNA knockdown approach to reduce the expression of Gucy2e or Cnga1 in Pde6bH620Q photoreceptors prior to degeneration. Gucy2e- or Cnga1-shRNA lentiviral-mediated knockdown GUCY2E and CNGA1 expression increase visual function and photoreceptor survival in Pde6bH620Q mice. We demonstrated that effective knockdown of GUCY2E and CNGA1 expression to counteract loss of PDE6 function may develop into a valuable approach for treating some patients with RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquin Tosi
- Bernard & Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Tsang SH, Woodruff ML, Lin CS, Jacobson BD, Naumann MC, Hsu CW, Davis RJ, Cilluffo MC, Chen J, Fain GL. Effect of the ILE86TER mutation in the γ subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6) on rod photoreceptor signaling. Cell Signal 2011; 24:181-8. [PMID: 21920434 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2011.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The light-dependent decrease in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the rod outer segment is produced by a phosphodiesterase (PDE6), consisting of catalytic α and β subunits and two inhibitory γ subunits. The molecular mechanism of PDE6γ regulation of the catalytic subunits is uncertain. To study this mechanism in vivo, we introduced a modified Pde6g gene for PDE6γ into a line of Pde6g(tm1)/Pde6g(tm1) mice that do not express PDE6γ. The resulting ILE86TER mice have a PDE6γ that lacks the two final carboxyl-terminal Ile(86) and Ile(87) residues, a mutation previously shown in vitro to reduce inhibition by PDE6γ. ILE86TER rods showed a decreased sensitivity and rate of activation, probably the result of a decreased level of expression of PDE6 in ILE86TER rods. More importantly, they showed a decreased rate of decay of the photoresponse, consistent with decreased inhibition of PDE6 α and β by PDE6γ. Furthermore, ILE86TER rods had a higher rate of spontaneous activation of PDE6 than WT rods. Circulating current in ILE86TER rods that also lacked both guanylyl cyclase activating proteins (GCAPs) could be increased several fold by perfusion with 100μM of the PDE6 inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), consistent with a higher rate of dark PDE6 activity in the mutant photoreceptors. In contrast, IBMX had little effect on the circulating current of WT rods, unlike previous results from amphibians. Our results show for the first time that the Ile(86) and Ile(87) residues are necessary for normal inhibition of PDE6 catalytic activity in vivo, and that increased basal activity of PDE can be partially compensated by GCAP-dependent regulation of guanylyl cyclase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Tsang
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Dvir L, Srour G, Abu-Ras R, Miller B, Shalev SA, Ben-Yosef T. Autosomal-recessive early-onset retinitis pigmentosa caused by a mutation in PDE6G, the gene encoding the gamma subunit of rod cGMP phosphodiesterase. Am J Hum Genet 2010; 87:258-64. [PMID: 20655036 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2010.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common form of hereditary retinal degeneration, with a worldwide prevalence of 1 in 4000. Over 30 genes and loci have been implicated in nonsyndromic autosomal-recessive (ar) RP. Genome-wide homozygosity mapping was conducted in two sibships from an extended consanguineous Muslim Arab Israeli family segregating ar severe early-onset RP. A shared homozygous region on chromosome 17q25.3 was identified in both sibships, with an overlap of 4.7 Mb. One of the genes located in this interval is PDE6G, encoding for the inhibitory gamma subunit of rod photoreceptor cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase. Mutations in the genes encoding for the catalytic subunits of this holoenzyme, PDE6A and PDE6B, cause arRP. Sequencing of all coding exons, including exon-intron boundaries, revealed a homozygous single base change (c.187+1G>T) located in the conserved intron 3 donor splice site of PDE6G. This mutation cosegregated with the disease in the extended family. We used an in vitro splicing assay to demonstrate that this mutation leads to incorrect splicing. Affected individuals had markedly constricted visual fields. Both scotopic and photopic electroretinograms were severely reduced or completely extinct. Funduscopy showed typical bone spicule-type pigment deposits spread mainly at the midperiphery, as well as pallor of the optic disk. Macular involvement was indicated by the lack of foveal reflex and typical cystoid macular edema, proved by optical coherence tomography. These findings demonstrate the positive role of the gamma subunit in maintaining phosphodiesterase activity and confirm the contribution of PDE6G to the etiology of RP in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Dvir
- Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, Haifa 31096, Israel
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Zhang XJ, Skiba NP, Cote RH. Structural requirements of the photoreceptor phosphodiesterase gamma-subunit for inhibition of rod PDE6 holoenzyme and for its activation by transducin. J Biol Chem 2009; 285:4455-63. [PMID: 19948718 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.057406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The central enzyme of the visual transduction cascade, cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6), is regulated by its gamma-subunit (Pgamma), whose inhibitory constraint is released upon binding of activated transducin. It is generally believed that the last four or five C-terminal amino acid residues of Pgamma are responsible for blocking catalysis. In this paper, we showed that the last 10 C-terminal residues (Pgamma78-87) are the minimum required to completely block catalysis. The kinetic mechanism of inhibition by the Pgamma C terminus depends on which substrate is undergoing catalysis. We also discovered a second mechanism of Pgamma inhibition that does not require this C-terminal region and that is capable of inhibiting up to 80% of the maximal cGMP hydrolytic rate. Furthermore, amino acids 63-70 and/or the intact alpha2 helix of Pgamma stabilize binding of C-terminal Pgamma peptides by 100-fold. When PDE6 catalytic subunits were reconstituted with portions of the Pgamma molecule and tested for activation by transducin, we found that the C-terminal region (Pgamma63-87) by itself could not be displaced but that transducin could relieve inhibition of certain Pgamma truncation mutants. Our results are consistent with two distinct mechanisms of Pgamma inhibition of PDE6. One involves direct interaction of the C-terminal residues with the catalytic site. A second regulatory mechanism may involve binding of other regions of Pgamma to the catalytic domain, thereby allosterically reducing the catalytic rate. Transducin activation of PDE6 appears to require interaction with both the C terminus and other regions of Pgamma to effectively relieve its inhibitory constraint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Jun Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
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Light-dependent phosphorylation of the gamma subunit of cGMP-phophodiesterase (PDE6gamma) at residue threonine 22 in intact photoreceptor neurons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 390:1149-53. [PMID: 19878658 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The gamma subunit of rod-specific cGMP phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6gamma), an effector of the G-protein GNAT1, is a key regulator of phototransduction. The results of several in vitro biochemical reconstitution experiments conducted to examine the effects of phosphorylation of PDE6gamma on its ability to regulate the PDE6 catalytic core have been inconsistent, showing that phosphorylation of PDE6gamma may increase or decrease the ability of PDE6gamma to deactivate phototransduction. To resolve role of phosphorylation of PDE6gamma in living photoreceptors, we generated transgenic mice in which either one or both Threonine (T) sites in PDE6gamma (T22 and T35), which are candidates for putative regulatory phosphorylation, were substituted with alanine (A). Phosphorylation of these sites was examined as a function of light exposure. We found that phosphorylation of T22 increases with light exposure in intact mouse rods while constitutive phosphorylation of T35 is unaffected by light in intact mouse rods and cones. Phosphorylation of the cone isoform of PDE6gamma, PDE6H, is constitutively phosphorylated at the T20 residue. Light-induced T22 phosphorylation was lost in T35A transgenic rods, and T35 phosphorylation was extinguished in T22A transgenic rods. The interdependency of phosphorylation of T22 and T35 suggests that light-induced, post-translational modification of PDE6gamma is essential for the regulation of G-protein signaling.
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Guo LW, Ruoho AE. The retinal cGMP phosphodiesterase gamma-subunit - a chameleon. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2009; 9:611-25. [PMID: 19075750 DOI: 10.2174/138920308786733930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) represent an emerging class of proteins (or domains) that are characterized by a lack of ordered secondary and tertiary structure. This group of proteins has recently attracted tremendous interest primarily because of a unique feature: they can bind to different targets due to their structural plasticity, and thus fulfill diverse functions. The inhibitory gamma-subunit (PDEgamma) of retinal PDE6 is an intriguing IDP, of which unique protein properties are being uncovered. PDEgamma critically regulates the turn on as well as the turn off of visual signaling through alternate interactions with the PDE6 catalytic core, transducin, and the regulator of G protein signaling RGS9-1. The intrinsic disorder of PDEgamma does not compromise, but rather, optimizes its functionality. PDEgamma "curls up" when free in solution but "stretches out" when binding with the PDE6 catalytic core. Conformational changes of PDEgamma also likely occur in its C-terminal PDE6-binding region upon interacting with transducin during PDE6 activation. Growing evidence shows that PDEgamma is also a player in non-phototransduction pathways, suggesting additional protein targets. Thus, PDEgamma is highly likely to be adaptive in its structure and function, hence a "chameleon".
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Tuntivanich N, Pittler SJ, Fischer AJ, Omar G, Kiupel M, Weber A, Yao S, Steibel JP, Khan NW, Petersen-Jones SM. Characterization of a canine model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa due to a PDE6A mutation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2009; 50:801-13. [PMID: 18775863 PMCID: PMC3720143 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.08-2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize a canine model of autosomal recessive RP due to a PDE6A gene mutation. METHODS Affected and breed- and age-matched control puppies were studied by electroretinography (ERG), light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and assay for retinal PDE6 levels and enzymatic activity. RESULTS The mutant puppies failed to develop normal rod-mediated ERG responses and had reduced light-adapted a-wave amplitudes from an early age. The residual ERG waveforms originated primarily from cone-driven responses. Development of photoreceptor outer segments stopped, and rod cells were lost by apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a marked reduction in rod opsin immunostaining outer segments and relative preservation of cones early in the disease process. With exception of rod bipolar cells, which appeared to be reduced in number relatively early in the disease process, other inner retinal cells were preserved in the early stages of the disease, although there was marked and early activation of Müller glia. Western blot analysis showed that the PDE6A mutation not only resulted in a lack of PDE6A protein but the affected retinas also lacked the other PDE6 subunits, suggesting expression of PDE6A is essential for normal expression of PDE6B and PDE6G. Affected retinas lacked PDE6 enzymatic activity. CONCLUSIONS This represents the first characterization of a PDE6A model of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, and the PDE6A mutant dog shows promise as a large animal model for investigation of therapies to rescue mutant rod photoreceptors and to preserve cone photoreceptors in the face of a rapid loss of rod cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalinee Tuntivanich
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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Tsang SH, Tsui I, Chou CL, Zernant J, Haamer E, Iranmanesh R, Tosi J, Allikmets R. A novel mutation and phenotypes in phosphodiesterase 6 deficiency. Am J Ophthalmol 2008; 146:780-8. [PMID: 18723146 PMCID: PMC2593460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2008] [Revised: 06/12/2008] [Accepted: 06/13/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a systematic approach for the molecular diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to report new genotype-phenotype correlations for phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6)-based RP mutations. DESIGN Clinical and molecular studies on a retrospective case series. METHODS We screened 40 unrelated RP patients with an autosomal recessive RP microarray. Individuals with RP caused by PDE6 deficiency underwent genetic segregation and phenotype analysis. RESULTS A disease-associated allele was identified in 32% of patients. Two probands (5%) had PDE6 mutations. The first proband was a compound heterozygote for known R102C and N216S alleles in PDE6A (MIM#180071). Pedigree analysis determined that the N216S variant was benign and direct sequencing discovered a novel, S303C allele. The second proband had a homozygous D600N mutation in the PDE6B gene (MIM#180072). Visual acuities of PDE6-deficient patients ranged from 20/40 to 20/200. Clinical studies showed unusual vitreomacular traction, cystoid macular edema, macular atrophy, and ring hyperfluorescence in PDE6-deficient patients. Such extensive vitreoretinal degeneration is not characteristic of photoreceptor-specific enzyme deficiencies. CONCLUSION High-throughput deoxyribonucleic acid microarray chips can be used in combination with clinical imaging to precisely characterize patients with RP. Identifying the precise mutation in RP may become the standard of care as gene therapy emerges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Tsang
- Bernard and Shirlee Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
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Davis RJ, Tosi J, Janisch KM, Kasanuki JM, Wang NK, Kong J, Tsui I, Cilluffo M, Woodruff ML, Fain GL, Lin CS, Tsang SH. Functional rescue of degenerating photoreceptors in mice homozygous for a hypomorphic cGMP phosphodiesterase 6 b allele (Pde6bH620Q). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2008; 49:5067-76. [PMID: 18658088 PMCID: PMC2715364 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.07-1422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 8% of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) cases worldwide are due to defects in rod-specific phosphodiesterase PDE6, a tetramer consisting of catalytic (PDE6alpha and PDE6beta) and two regulatory (PDE6gamma) subunits. In mice homozygous for a nonsense Pde6b(rd1) allele, absence of PDE6 activity is associated with retinal disease similar to humans. Although studied for 80 years, the rapid degeneration Pde6b(rd1) phenotype has limited analyses and therapeutic modeling. Moreover, this model does not represent human RP involving PDE6B missense mutations. In the current study the mouse missense allele, Pde6b(H620Q) was characterized further. METHODS Photoreceptor degeneration in Pde6b(H620Q) homozygotes was documented by histochemistry, whereas PDE6beta expression and activity were monitored by immunoblotting and cGMP assays. To measure changes in rod physiology, electroretinograms and intracellular Ca(2+) recording were performed. To test the effectiveness of gene therapy, Opsin::Pde6b lentivirus was subretinally injected into Pde6b(H620Q) homozygotes. RESULTS Within 3 weeks of birth, the Pde6b(H620Q) homozygotes displayed relatively normal photoreceptors, but by 7 weeks degeneration was largely complete. Before degeneration, PDE6beta expression and PDE6 activity were reduced. Although light-/dark-adapted total cGMP levels appeared normal, Pde6b(H620Q) homozygotes exhibited depressed rod function and elevated outer segment Ca(2+). Transduction with Opsin::Pde6b lentivirus resulted in histologic and functional rescue of photoreceptors. CONCLUSIONS Pde6b(H620Q) homozygous mice exhibit a hypomorphic phenotype with partial PDE6 activity that may result in an increased Ca(2+) to promote photoreceptor death. As degeneration in Pde6b(H620Q) mutants is slower than in Pde6b(rd1) mice and can be suppressed by Pde6b transduction, this Pde6b(H620Q) model may provide an alternate means to explore new treatments of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Davis
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Joaquin Tosi
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kerstin M. Janisch
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - J. Mie Kasanuki
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Nan-Kai Wang
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ilene Tsui
- Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts
| | | | - Michael L. Woodruff
- Department of Physiological Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gordon L. Fain
- Department of Physiological Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chyuan-Sheng Lin
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Stephen H. Tsang
- Brown Glaucoma Laboratory, Columbia University, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Guo LW, Muradov H, Hajipour AR, Sievert MK, Artemyev NO, Ruoho AE. The Inhibitory γ Subunit of the Rod cGMP Phosphodiesterase Binds the Catalytic Subunits in an Extended Linear Structure. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:15412-22. [PMID: 16595671 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m600595200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique feature of rod photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE6) is the presence of inhibitory subunits (Pgamma), which interact with the catalytic heterodimer (Palphabeta) to regulate its activity. This uniqueness results in an extremely high sensitivity and sophisticated modulations of rod visual signaling where the Pgamma/Palphabeta interactions play a critical role. The quaternary organization of the alphabetagammagamma heterotetramer is poorly understood and contradictory patterns of interaction have been previously suggested. Here we provide evidence that supports a specific interaction, by systematically and differentially analyzing the Pgamma-binding regions on Palpha and Pbeta through photolabel transfer from various Pgamma positions throughout the entire molecule. The Pgamma N-terminal Val16-Phe30 region was found to interact with the Palphabeta GAFa domain, whereas its C terminus (Phe73-Ile87) interacted with the Palphabeta catalytic domain. The interactions of Pgamma with these two domains were bridged by its central Ser40-Phe50 region through interactions with GAFb and the linker between GAFb and the catalytic domain, indicating a linear and extended interaction between Pgamma and Palphabeta. Furthermore, a photocross-linked product alphabetagamma(gamma) was specifically generated by the double derivatized Pgamma, in which one photoprobe was located in the polycationic region and the other in the C terminus. Taken together the evidence supports the conclusion that each Pgamma molecule binds Palphabeta in an extended linear interaction and may even interact with both Palpha and Pbeta simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
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Dalke C, Graw J. Mouse mutants as models for congenital retinal disorders. Exp Eye Res 2005; 81:503-12. [PMID: 16026784 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2005.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2005] [Revised: 05/14/2005] [Accepted: 06/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Animal models provide a valuable tool for investigating the genetic basis and the pathophysiology of human diseases, and to evaluate therapeutic treatments. To study congenital retinal disorders, mouse mutants have become the most important model organism. Here we review some mouse models, which are related to hereditary disorders (mostly congenital) including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber's congenital amaurosis, macular disorders and optic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dalke
- GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Developmental Genetics, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Makino CL, Wen XH, Lem J. Piecing together the timetable for visual transduction with transgenic animals. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2003; 13:404-12. [PMID: 12965286 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-4388(03)00091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mice bearing null or functional mutations are being used to define the roles of specific elements in phototransduction and also to time the molecular interactions. Genetic manipulation of the collision frequency between rhodopsin and transducin molecules identified this parameter as rate-limiting for the photoresponse onset. Genetic interference with rhodopsin phosphorylation and arrestin binding, transducin shut-off and calcium feedback has revealed their respective roles in shaping the response waveform. The timetable for all of these molecular events determines the amplitude, kinetics and reproducibility of the photoresponse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clint L Makino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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