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Xia CH, Liu H, Li M, Zhang H, Xing X, Gong X. Identification and Characterization of Retinitis Pigmentosa in a Novel Mouse Model Caused by PDE6B-T592I. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3173. [PMID: 38137394 PMCID: PMC10740990 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The cGMP-phosphodiesterase 6 beta subunit (PDE6B) is an essential component in the phototransduction pathway for light responses in photoreceptor cells. PDE6B gene mutations cause the death of rod photoreceptors, named as hereditary retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans and retinal degeneration (RD) in rodents. Here, we report a new RD model, identified from a phenotypic screen of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutant mice, which displays retinal degeneration caused by a point mutation in the Pde6b gene that results in PDE6B-T592I mutant protein. The homozygous mutant mice show an extensive loss of rod photoreceptors at the age of 3 weeks; unexpectedly, the loss of rod photoreceptors can be partly rescued by dark rearing. Thus, this RD mutant model displays a light-dependent loss of rod photoreceptors. Both western blot and immunostaining results show very low level of mutant PDE6B-T592I protein in the retina. Structure modeling suggests that the T592I mutation probably affects the function and stability of PDE6B protein by changing intramolecular interactions. We further demonstrate that the expression of wild-type PDE6B delivered by subretinally injected adeno-associated virus (rAAV) prevents photoreceptor cell death in this RD model in vivo. The PDE6B-T592I mutant is, therefore, a valuable RD model for evaluating rAAV-mediated treatment and for investigating the molecular mechanism of light-dependent rod photoreceptor cell death that is related to impaired PDE6B function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaohua Gong
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (C.-H.X.); (H.L.); (M.L.); (H.Z.); (X.X.)
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2
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Jaroszynska N, Harding P, Moosajee M. Metabolism in the Zebrafish Retina. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:10. [PMID: 33804189 PMCID: PMC8006245 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal photoreceptors are amongst the most metabolically active cells in the body, consuming more glucose as a metabolic substrate than even the brain. This ensures that there is sufficient energy to establish and maintain photoreceptor functions during and after their differentiation. Such high dependence on glucose metabolism is conserved across vertebrates, including zebrafish from early larval through to adult retinal stages. As the zebrafish retina develops rapidly, reaching an adult-like structure by 72 hours post fertilisation, zebrafish larvae can be used to study metabolism not only during retinogenesis, but also in functionally mature retinae. The interplay between rod and cone photoreceptors and the neighbouring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells establishes a metabolic ecosystem that provides essential control of their individual functions, overall maintaining healthy vision. The RPE facilitates efficient supply of glucose from the choroidal vasculature to the photoreceptors, which produce metabolic products that in turn fuel RPE metabolism. Many inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) result in photoreceptor degeneration, either directly arising from photoreceptor-specific mutations or secondary to RPE loss, leading to sight loss. Evidence from a number of vertebrate studies suggests that the imbalance of the metabolic ecosystem in the outer retina contributes to metabolic failure and disease pathogenesis. The use of larval zebrafish mutants with disease-specific mutations that mirror those seen in human patients allows us to uncover mechanisms of such dysregulation and disease pathology with progression from embryonic to adult stages, as well as providing a means of testing novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippa Harding
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK;
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK;
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
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3
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Zang J, Neuhauss SCF. Biochemistry and physiology of zebrafish photoreceptors. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:1569-1585. [PMID: 33598728 PMCID: PMC8370914 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02528-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
All vertebrates share a canonical retina with light-sensitive photoreceptors in the outer retina. These photoreceptors are of two kinds: rods and cones, adapted to low and bright light conditions, respectively. They both show a peculiar morphology, with long outer segments, comprised of ordered stacks of disc-shaped membranes. These discs host numerous proteins, many of which contribute to the visual transduction cascade. This pathway converts the light stimulus into a biological signal, ultimately modulating synaptic transmission. Recently, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has gained popularity for studying the function of vertebrate photoreceptors. In this review, we introduce this model system and its contribution to our understanding of photoreception with a focus on the cone visual transduction cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zang
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrase 190, CH - 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrase 190, CH - 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
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4
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Noel NCL, MacDonald IM, Allison WT. Zebrafish Models of Photoreceptor Dysfunction and Degeneration. Biomolecules 2021; 11:78. [PMID: 33435268 PMCID: PMC7828047 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are an instrumental system for the generation of photoreceptor degeneration models, which can be utilized to determine underlying causes of photoreceptor dysfunction and death, and for the analysis of potential therapeutic compounds, as well as the characterization of regenerative responses. We review the wealth of information from existing zebrafish models of photoreceptor disease, specifically as they relate to currently accepted taxonomic classes of human rod and cone disease. We also highlight that rich, detailed information can be derived from studying photoreceptor development, structure, and function, including behavioural assessments and in vivo imaging of zebrafish. Zebrafish models are available for a diversity of photoreceptor diseases, including cone dystrophies, which are challenging to recapitulate in nocturnal mammalian systems. Newly discovered models of photoreceptor disease and drusenoid deposit formation may not only provide important insights into pathogenesis of disease, but also potential therapeutic approaches. Zebrafish have already shown their use in providing pre-clinical data prior to testing genetic therapies in clinical trials, such as antisense oligonucleotide therapy for Usher syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C. L. Noel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (I.M.M.); (W.T.A.)
| | - Ian M. MacDonald
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (I.M.M.); (W.T.A.)
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R7, Canada
| | - W. Ted Allison
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; (I.M.M.); (W.T.A.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada
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5
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Zhao M, Tao Y, Peng GH. The Role of Histone Acetyltransferases and Histone Deacetylases in Photoreceptor Differentiation and Degeneration. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:1307-1314. [PMID: 32624685 PMCID: PMC7330661 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.43140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors are critical components of the retina and play a role in the first step of the conversion of light to electrical signals. The differentiation and degeneration of photoreceptors are regulated by specific genes and proteins. With the development of epigenetic approaches, scientists have discovered that histone modifications, such as acetylation, methylation, ubiquitylation, and phosphorylation, may modulate the processes of photoreceptor differentiation and degeneration. Histone acetylation is regulated by two opposing classes of enzymes, namely, histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), which add and remove acetyl groups to and from target histones, respectively, causing changes in transcriptional activity. Herein, we review the effects of HATs and HDACs on the differentiation and degeneration of photoreceptors and discuss the underlying mechanisms of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhao
- Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.,Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.,Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Guang-Hua Peng
- Laboratory of Visual Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.,Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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6
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Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a widely used model system during the last four decades. The fact that the zebrafish larva is transparent enables sophisticated in vivo imaging, including calcium imaging of intracellular transients in many different tissues. While being a vertebrate, the reduced complexity of its nervous system and small size make it possible to follow large-scale activity in the whole brain. Its genome is sequenced and many genetic and molecular tools have been developed that simplify the study of gene function in health and disease. Since the mid 90's, the development and neuronal function of the embryonic, larval, and later, adult zebrafish have been studied using calcium imaging methods. This updated chapter is reviewing the advances in methods and research findings of zebrafish calcium imaging during the last decade. The choice of calcium indicator depends on the desired number of cells to study and cell accessibility. Synthetic calcium indicators, conjugated to dextrans and acetoxymethyl (AM) esters, are still used to label specific neuronal cell types in the hindbrain and the olfactory system. However, genetically encoded calcium indicators, such as aequorin and the GCaMP family of indicators, expressed in various tissues by the use of cell-specific promoters, are now the choice for most applications, including brain-wide imaging. Calcium imaging in the zebrafish has contributed greatly to our understanding of basic biological principles during development and adulthood, and the function of disease-related genes in a vertebrate system.
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Hutto RA, Bisbach CM, Abbas F, Brock DC, Cleghorn WM, Parker ED, Bauer BH, Ge W, Vinberg F, Hurley JB, Brockerhoff SE. Increasing Ca 2+ in photoreceptor mitochondria alters metabolites, accelerates photoresponse recovery, and reveals adaptations to mitochondrial stress. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1067-1085. [PMID: 31371786 PMCID: PMC7206026 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0398-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors are specialized neurons that rely on Ca2+ to regulate phototransduction and neurotransmission. Photoreceptor dysfunction and degeneration occur when intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is disrupted. Ca2+ homeostasis is maintained partly by mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU), which can influence cytosolic Ca2+ signals, stimulate energy production, and trigger apoptosis. Here we discovered that zebrafish cone photoreceptors express unusually low levels of MCU. We expected that this would be important to prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and consequent cone degeneration. To test this hypothesis, we generated a cone-specific model of MCU overexpression. Surprisingly, we found that cones tolerate MCU overexpression, surviving elevated mitochondrial Ca2+ and disruptions to mitochondrial ultrastructure until late adulthood. We exploited the survival of MCU overexpressing cones to additionally demonstrate that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake alters the distributions of citric acid cycle intermediates and accelerates recovery kinetics of the cone response to light. Cones adapt to mitochondrial Ca2+ stress by decreasing MICU3, an enhancer of MCU-mediated Ca2+ uptake, and selectively transporting damaged mitochondria away from the ellipsoid toward the synapse. Our findings demonstrate how mitochondrial Ca2+ can influence physiological and metabolic processes in cones and highlight the remarkable ability of cone photoreceptors to adapt to mitochondrial stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Hutto
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Celia M Bisbach
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Fatima Abbas
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Daniel C Brock
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Whitney M Cleghorn
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Edward D Parker
- Opthalmology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Benjamin H Bauer
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - William Ge
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - James B Hurley
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.,Opthalmology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Susan E Brockerhoff
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA. .,Opthalmology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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8
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Berkowitz BA, Podolsky RH, Farrell B, Lee H, Trepanier C, Berri AM, Dernay K, Graffice E, Shafie-Khorassani F, Kern TS, Roberts R. D-cis-Diltiazem Can Produce Oxidative Stress in Healthy Depolarized Rods In Vivo. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:2999-3010. [PMID: 30025125 PMCID: PMC5995482 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-23829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose New perspectives are needed to understand decades of contradictory reports on the neuroprotective effects of the Cav1.2 L-type calcium channel blocker d-cis-diltiazem in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) models. Here, we address, in vivo, the following two knowledge gaps regarding d-cis-diltiazem's actions in the murine outer retina: (1) do normal mouse rods contain d-cis-diltiazem-insensitive Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels? (2) Can d-cis-diltiazem modify the normal rod redox environment? Methods First, transretinal Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels were noninvasively mapped with manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following agonist Bay K 8644 in C57BL/6 (B6) and in Cav1.2 L-type calcium channel BAY K 8644-insensitive mutant B6 mice. Second, d-cis-diltiazem-treated oxidative stress-vulnerable (B6) or -resistant [129S6 (S6)] mice were examined in vivo (QUEnch-assiSTed [QUEST] MRI) and in whole retina ex vivo (lucigenin). Retinal thickness was measured using MRI. Results The following results were observed: (1) manganese uptake patterns in BAY K 8644-treated controls and mutant mice identified in vivo Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels in inner and outer retina; and (2) d-cis-diltiazem induced rod oxidative stress in dark-adapted B6 mice but not in light-adapted B6 mice or dark-adapted S6 mice (QUEST MRI). Oxidative stress in vivo was limited to inferior outer retina in dark-adapted B6 mice approximately 1-hour post d-cis-diltiazem. By approximately 4 hours post, only superior outer retina oxidative stress was observed and whole retinal superoxide production was supernormal. All groups had unremarkable retinal thicknesses. Conclusions D-cis-diltiazem's unexpectedly complex spatiotemporal outer retinal oxidative stress pattern in vivo was dependent on genetic background and rod membrane depolarization, but not apparently dependent on Cav1.2 L-type calcium channels, providing a potential rationale for contradictory results in different RP models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Berkowitz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Robert H Podolsky
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Benjamin Farrell
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Hojun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Christopher Trepanier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Ali M Berri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Kristin Dernay
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Emma Graffice
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Fatema Shafie-Khorassani
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States
| | - Timothy S Kern
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Robin Roberts
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States
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9
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Giarmarco MM, Cleghorn WM, Hurley JB, Brockerhoff SE. Preparing Fresh Retinal Slices from Adult Zebrafish for Ex Vivo Imaging Experiments. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29806828 DOI: 10.3791/56977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a complex tissue that initiates and integrates the first steps of vision. Dysfunction of retinal cells is a hallmark of many blinding diseases, and future therapies hinge on fundamental understandings about how different retinal cells function normally. Gaining such information with biochemical methods has proven difficult because contributions of particular cell types are diminished in the retinal cell milieu. Live retinal imaging can provide a view of numerous biological processes on a subcellular level, thanks to a growing number of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors. However, this technique has thus far been limited to tadpoles and zebrafish larvae, the outermost retinal layers of isolated retinas, or lower resolution imaging of retinas in live animals. Here we present a method for generating live ex vivo retinal slices from adult zebrafish for live imaging via confocal microscopy. This preparation yields transverse slices with all retinal layers and most cell types visible for performing confocal imaging experiments using perfusion. Transgenic zebrafish expressing fluorescent proteins or biosensors in specific retinal cell types or organelles are used to extract single-cell information from an intact retina. Additionally, retinal slices can be loaded with fluorescent indicator dyes, adding to the method's versatility. This protocol was developed for imaging Ca2+ within zebrafish cone photoreceptors, but with proper markers it could be adapted to measure Ca2+ or metabolites in Müller cells, bipolar and horizontal cells, microglia, amacrine cells, or retinal ganglion cells. The retinal pigment epithelium is removed from slices so this method is not suitable for studying that cell type. With practice, it is possible to generate serial slices from one animal for multiple experiments. This adaptable technique provides a powerful tool for answering many questions about retinal cell biology, Ca2+, and energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James B Hurley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington
| | - Susan E Brockerhoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington;
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10
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Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) possesses a vertebrate-type retina that is extraordinarily conserved in evolution. This well-organized and anatomically easily accessible part of the central nervous system has been widely investigated in zebrafish, promoting general understanding of retinal development, morphology, function and associated diseases. Over the recent years, genome and protein engineering as well as imaging techniques have experienced revolutionary advances and innovations, creating new possibilities and methods to study zebrafish development and function. In this review, we focus on some of these emerging technologies and how they may impact retinal research in the future. We place an emphasis on genetic techniques, such as transgenic approaches and the revolutionizing new possibilities in genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Niklaus
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Life Science Zurich Graduate Program - Neuroscience , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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11
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Butler MR, Ma H, Yang F, Belcher J, Le YZ, Mikoshiba K, Biel M, Michalakis S, Iuso A, Križaj D, Ding XQ. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca 2+-channel activity contributes to ER stress and cone death in cyclic nucleotide-gated channel deficiency. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:11189-11205. [PMID: 28495882 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.782326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mislocalization of improperly folded proteins have been shown to contribute to photoreceptor death in models of inherited retinal degenerative diseases. In particular, mice with cone cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel deficiency, a model for achromatopsia, display both early-onset ER stress and opsin mistrafficking. By 2 weeks of age, these mice show elevated signaling from all three arms of the ER-stress pathway, and by 1 month, cone opsin is improperly distributed away from its normal outer segment location to other retinal layers. This work investigated the role of Ca2+-release channels in ER stress, protein mislocalization, and cone death in a mouse model of CNG-channel deficiency. We examined whether preservation of luminal Ca2+ stores through pharmacological and genetic suppression of ER Ca2+ efflux protects cones by attenuating ER stress. We demonstrated that the inhibition of ER Ca2+-efflux channels reduced all three arms of ER-stress signaling while improving opsin trafficking to cone outer segments and decreasing cone death by 20-35%. Cone-specific gene deletion of the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type I (IP3R1) also significantly increased cone density in the CNG-channel-deficient mice, suggesting that IP3R1 signaling contributes to Ca2+ homeostasis and cone survival. Consistent with the important contribution of organellar Ca2+ signaling in this achromatopsia mouse model, significant differences in dynamic intraorganellar Ca2+ levels were detected in CNG-channel-deficient cones. These results thus identify a novel molecular link between Ca2+ homeostasis and cone degeneration, thereby revealing novel therapeutic targets to preserve cones in inherited retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fan Yang
- From the Departments of Cell Biology
| | | | - Yun-Zheng Le
- From the Departments of Cell Biology.,Internal Medicine, and.,Ophthalmology and.,the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- the Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Hirosawa Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Martin Biel
- the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany, and
| | - Stylianos Michalakis
- the Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Department of Pharmacy, Center for Drug Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany, and
| | - Anthony Iuso
- the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
| | - David Križaj
- the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
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12
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Mitochondria Maintain Distinct Ca 2+ Pools in Cone Photoreceptors. J Neurosci 2017; 37:2061-2072. [PMID: 28115482 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2689-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ ions have distinct roles in the outer segment, cell body, and synaptic terminal of photoreceptors. We tested the hypothesis that distinct Ca2+ domains are maintained by Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria. Serial block face scanning electron microscopy of zebrafish cones revealed that nearly 100 mitochondria cluster at the apical side of the inner segment, directly below the outer segment. The endoplasmic reticulum surrounds the basal and lateral surfaces of this cluster, but does not reach the apical surface or penetrate into the cluster. Using genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors, we found that mitochondria take up Ca2+ when it accumulates either in the cone cell body or outer segment. Blocking mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter activity compromises the ability of mitochondria to maintain distinct Ca2+ domains. Together, our findings indicate that mitochondria can modulate subcellular functional specialization in photoreceptors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ca2+ homeostasis is essential for the survival and function of retinal photoreceptors. Separate pools of Ca2+ regulate phototransduction in the outer segment, metabolism in the cell body, and neurotransmitter release at the synaptic terminal. We investigated the role of mitochondria in compartmentalization of Ca2+ We found that mitochondria form a dense cluster that acts as a diffusion barrier between the outer segment and cell body. The cluster is surprisingly only partially surrounded by the endoplasmic reticulum, a key mediator of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Blocking the uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria causes redistribution of Ca2+ throughout the cell. Our results show that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in photoreceptors is complex and plays an essential role in normal function.
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13
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Neuroprotective Strategy in Retinal Degeneration: Suppressing ER Stress-Induced Cell Death via Inhibition of the mTOR Signal. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18010201. [PMID: 28106827 PMCID: PMC5297831 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is a specialized sensory organ, which is essential for light detection and visual formation in the human eye. Inherited retinal degenerations are a heterogeneous group of eye diseases that can eventually cause permanent vision loss. UPR (unfolded protein response) and ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of retinal degenerative diseases. mTOR (the mammalian target of rapamycin) kinase, as a signaling hub, controls many cellular processes, covering protein synthesis, RNA translation, ER stress, and apoptosis. Here, the hypothesis that inhibition of mTOR signaling suppresses ER stress-induced cell death in retinal degenerative disorders is discussed. This review surveys knowledge of the influence of mTOR signaling on ER stress arising from misfolded proteins and genetic mutations in retinal degenerative diseases and highlights potential neuroprotective strategies for treatment and therapeutic implications.
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14
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Brockerhoff SE. Genome Editing to Study Ca 2+ Homeostasis in Zebrafish Cone Photoreceptors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1016:91-100. [PMID: 29130155 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63904-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors are specialized sensory neurons with unique biological features. Phototransduction is well understood due in part to the exclusive expression and function of the molecular components of this cascade. Many other processes are less well understood, but also extremely important for understanding photoreceptor function and for treating disease. One example is the role of Ca2+ in the cell body and overall compartmentalization and regulation of Ca2+ within the cell. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing techniques has made it possible to rapidly and cheaply alter specific genes. This will help to define the biological function of elusive processes that have been more challenging to study. CRISPR/Cas9 has been optimized in many systems including zebrafish, which already has some distinct advantages for studying photoreceptor biology and function. These new genome editing technologies and the continued use of the zebrafish model system will help advance our understanding of important understudied aspects of photoreceptor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Brockerhoff
- Departments of Biochemistry and Ophthalmology, University of Washington, UW Medicine, 750 Republican St, Box 358058, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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Kulkarni M, Trifunović D, Schubert T, Euler T, Paquet-Durand F. Calcium dynamics change in degenerating cone photoreceptors. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3729-3740. [PMID: 27402880 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cone photoreceptors (cones) are essential for high-resolution daylight vision and colour perception. Loss of cones in hereditary retinal diseases has a dramatic impact on human vision. The mechanisms underlying cone death are poorly understood, and consequently, there are no treatments available. Previous studies suggest a central role for calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis deficits in photoreceptor degeneration; however, direct evidence for this is scarce and physiological measurements of Ca2+ in degenerating mammalian cones are lacking.Here, we took advantage of the transgenic HR2.1:TN-XL mouse line that expresses a genetically encoded Ca2+ biosensor exclusively in cones. We cross-bred this line with mouse models for primary ("cone photoreceptor function loss-1", cpfl1) and secondary ("retinal degeneration-1", rd1) cone degeneration, respectively, and assessed resting Ca2+ levels and light-evoked Ca2+ responses in cones using two-photon imaging. We found that Ca2+ dynamics were altered in cpfl1 cones, showing higher noise and variable Ca2+ levels, with significantly wider distribution than for wild-type and rd1 cones. Unexpectedly, up to 21% of cpfl1 cones still displayed light-evoked Ca2+ responses, which were larger and slower than wild-type responses. In contrast, genetically intact rd1 cones were characterized by lower noise and complete lack of visual function.Our study demonstrates alterations in cone Ca2+ dynamics in both primary and secondary cone degeneration. Our results are consistent with the view that higher (fluctuating) cone Ca2+ levels are involved in photoreceptor cell death in primary (cpfl1) but not in secondary (rd1) cone degeneration. These findings may guide the future development of therapies targeting photoreceptor Ca2+ homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kulkarni
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience.,Graduate School of Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
| | | | - Timm Schubert
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience
| | - Thomas Euler
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research (F.P-D.) (T.E.).,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience.,Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Understanding Cone Photoreceptor Cell Death in Achromatopsia. RETINAL DEGENERATIVE DISEASES 2016; 854:231-6. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17121-0_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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