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Hassan S, Hsu Y, Mayer SK, Thomas J, Kothapalli A, Helms M, Baker SA, Laird JG, Bhattarai S, Drack AV. A visually guided swim assay for mouse models of human retinal disease recapitulates the multi-luminance mobility test in humans. Saudi J Ophthalmol 2023; 37:313-320. [PMID: 38155679 PMCID: PMC10752274 DOI: 10.4103/sjopt.sjopt_155_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop a visually guided swim assay (VGSA) for measuring vision in mouse retinal disease models comparable to the multi-luminance mobility test (MLMT) utilized in human clinical trials. METHODS Three mouse retinal disease models were studied: Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 1 (Bbs1M390R/M390R), n = 5; Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 10 (Bbs10-/-), n = 11; and X linked retinoschisis (retinoschisin knockout; Rs1-KO), n = 5. Controls were normally-sighted mice, n = 10. Eyeless Pax6Sey-Dey mice, n = 4, were used to determine the performance of animals without vision in VGSA. RESULTS Eyeless Pax6Sey-Dey mice had a VGSA time-to-platform (TTP) 7X longer than normally-sighted controls (P < 0.0001). Controls demonstrated no difference in their TTP in both lighting conditions; the same was true for Pax6Sey-Dey. At 4-6 M, Rs1-KO and Bbs10-/- had longer TTP in the dark than controls (P = 0.0156 and P = 1.23 × 10-8, respectively). At 9-11 M, both BBS models had longer TTP than controls in light and dark with times similar to Pax6Sey-Dey (P < 0.0001), demonstrating progressive vision loss in BBS models, but not in controls nor in Rs1-KO. At 1 M, Bbs10-/- ERG light-adapted (cone) amplitudes were nonrecordable, resulting in a floor effect. VGSA did not reach a floor until 9-11 M. ERG combined rod/cone b-wave amplitudes were nonrecordable in all three mutant groups at 9-11 M, but VGSA still showed differences in visual function. ERG values correlate non-linearly with VGSA, and VGSA measured the continual decline of vision. CONCLUSION ERG is no longer a useful endpoint once the nonrecordable level is reached. VGSA differentiates between different levels of vision, different ages, and different disease models even after ERG is nonrecordable, similar to the MLMT in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Hassan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biomedical Science- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ying Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sara K. Mayer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jacintha Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Megan Helms
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sheila A. Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Joseph G. Laird
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sajag Bhattarai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Arlene V. Drack
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Biomedical Science- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, IVR, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Vedula P, Fina ME, Bell BA, Nikonov SS, Kashina A, Dong DW. β -actin is essential for structural integrity and physiological function of the retina. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.27.534392. [PMID: 37034790 PMCID: PMC10081178 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Lack of non-muscle β -actin gene (Actb) leads to early embryonic lethality in mice, however mice with β - to γ -actin replacement develop normally and show no detectable phenotypes at young age. Here we investigated the effect of this replacement in the retina. During aging, these mice have accelerated de-generation of retinal structure and function, including elongated microvilli and defective mitochondria of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), abnormally bulging photoreceptor outer segments (OS) accompanied by reduced transducin concentration and light sensitivity, and accumulation of autofluorescent microglia cells in the subretinal space between RPE and OS. These defects are accompanied by changes in the F-actin binding of several key actin interacting partners, including ezrin, myosin, talin, and vinculin known to play central roles in modulating actin cytoskeleton and cell adhesion and mediating the phagocytosis of OS. Our data show that β -actin protein is essential for maintaining normal retinal structure and function.
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Mayer SK, Thomas J, Helms M, Kothapalli A, Cherascu I, Salesevic A, Stalter E, Wang K, Datta P, Searby C, Seo S, Hsu Y, Bhattarai S, Sheffield VC, Drack AV. Progressive retinal degeneration of rods and cones in a Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 10 mouse model. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm049473. [PMID: 36125046 PMCID: PMC9536196 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a multi-organ autosomal-recessive disorder caused by mutations in at least 22 different genes. A constant feature is early-onset retinal degeneration leading to blindness. Among the most common forms is BBS type 10 (BBS10), which is caused by mutations in a gene encoding a chaperonin-like protein. To aid in developing treatments, we phenotyped a Bbs10 knockout (Bbs10-/-) mouse model. Analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT), electroretinography (ERG) and a visually guided swim assay (VGSA) revealed a progressive degeneration (from P19 to 8 months of age) of the outer nuclear layer that is visible by OCT and histology. Cone ERG was absent from at least P30, at which time rod ERG was reduced to 74.4% of control levels; at 8 months, rod ERG was 2.3% of that of controls. VGSA demonstrated loss of functional vision at 9 months. These phenotypes progressed more rapidly than retinal degeneration in the Bbs1M390R/M390R knock-in mouse. This study defines endpoints for preclinical trials that can be utilized to detect a treatment effect in the Bbs10-/- mouse and extrapolated to human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara K. Mayer
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jacintha Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Megan Helms
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Aishwarya Kothapalli
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ioana Cherascu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Adisa Salesevic
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Elliot Stalter
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Poppy Datta
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Charles Searby
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Seongjin Seo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ying Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sajag Bhattarai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Val C. Sheffield
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Arlene V. Drack
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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4
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Fina ME, Wang J, Vedula P, Tang HY, Kashina A, Dong DW. Arginylation Regulates G-protein Signaling in the Retina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:807345. [PMID: 35127722 PMCID: PMC8815403 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.807345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginylation is a post-translational modification mediated by the arginyltransferase (Ate1). We recently showed that conditional deletion of Ate1 in the nervous system leads to increased light-evoked response sensitivities of ON-bipolar cells in the retina, indicating that arginylation regulates the G-protein signaling complexes of those neurons and/or photoreceptors. However, none of the key players in the signaling pathway were previously shown to be arginylated. Here we show that Gαt1, Gβ1, RGS6, and RGS7 are arginylated in the retina and RGS6 and RGS7 protein levels are elevated in Ate1 knockout, suggesting that arginylation plays a direct role in regulating their protein level and the G-protein-mediated responses in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E. Fina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Pavan Vedula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hsin-Yao Tang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anna Kashina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anna Kashina, ; Dawei W. Dong,
| | - Dawei W. Dong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anna Kashina, ; Dawei W. Dong,
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5
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Fina ME, Wang J, Nikonov SS, Sterling S, Vardi N, Kashina A, Dong DW. Arginyltransferase (Ate1) regulates the RGS7 protein level and the sensitivity of light-evoked ON-bipolar responses. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9376. [PMID: 33931669 PMCID: PMC8087773 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88628-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulator of G-protein signaling 7 (RGS7) is predominately present in the nervous system and is essential for neuronal signaling involving G-proteins. Prior studies in cultured cells showed that RGS7 is regulated via proteasomal degradation, however no protein is known to facilitate proteasomal degradation of RGS7 and it has not been shown whether this regulation affects G-protein signaling in neurons. Here we used a knockout mouse model with conditional deletion of arginyltransferase (Ate1) in the nervous system and found that in retinal ON bipolar cells, where RGS7 modulates a G-protein to signal light increments, deletion of Ate1 raised the level of RGS7. Electroretinographs revealed that lack of Ate1 leads to increased light-evoked response sensitivities of ON-bipolar cells, as well as their downstream neurons. In cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), RGS7 was rapidly degraded via proteasome pathway and this degradation was abolished in Ate1 knockout MEF. Our results indicate that Ate1 regulates RGS7 protein level by facilitating proteasomal degradation of RGS7 and thus affects G-protein signaling in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E Fina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sergei S Nikonov
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Stephanie Sterling
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Noga Vardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Anna Kashina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Dawei W Dong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicines, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Leinonen H, Pham NC, Boyd T, Santoso J, Palczewski K, Vinberg F. Homeostatic plasticity in the retina is associated with maintenance of night vision during retinal degenerative disease. eLife 2020; 9:59422. [PMID: 32960171 PMCID: PMC7529457 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal plasticity of the inner retina has been observed in response to photoreceptor degeneration. Typically, this phenomenon has been considered maladaptive and may preclude vision restoration in the blind. However, several recent studies utilizing triggered photoreceptor ablation have shown adaptive responses in bipolar cells expected to support normal vision. Whether such homeostatic plasticity occurs during progressive photoreceptor degenerative disease to help maintain normal visual behavior is unknown. We addressed this issue in an established mouse model of Retinitis Pigmentosa caused by the P23H mutation in rhodopsin. We show robust modulation of the retinal transcriptomic network, reminiscent of the neurodevelopmental state, and potentiation of rod – rod bipolar cell signaling following rod photoreceptor degeneration. Additionally, we found highly sensitive night vision in P23H mice even when more than half of the rod photoreceptors were lost. These results suggest retinal adaptation leading to persistent visual function during photoreceptor degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri Leinonen
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Nguyen C Pham
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Taylor Boyd
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Johanes Santoso
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, and Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Frans Vinberg
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
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7
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Furukawa T, Ueno A, Omori Y. Molecular mechanisms underlying selective synapse formation of vertebrate retinal photoreceptor cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1251-1266. [PMID: 31586239 PMCID: PMC11105113 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03324-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrate central nervous systems (CNSs), highly diverse neurons are selectively connected via synapses, which are essential for building an intricate neural network. The vertebrate retina is part of the CNS and is comprised of a distinct laminar organization, which serves as a good model system to study developmental synapse formation mechanisms. In the retina outer plexiform layer, rods and cones, two types of photoreceptor cells, elaborate selective synaptic contacts with ON- and/or OFF-bipolar cell terminals as well as with horizontal cell terminals. In the mouse retina, three photoreceptor subtypes and at least 15 bipolar subtypes exist. Previous and recent studies have significantly progressed our understanding of how selective synapse formation, between specific subtypes of photoreceptor and bipolar cells, is designed at the molecular level. In the ON pathway, photoreceptor-derived secreted and transmembrane proteins directly interact in trans with the GRM6 (mGluR6) complex, which is localized to ON-bipolar cell dendritic terminals, leading to selective synapse formation. Here, we review our current understanding of the key factors and mechanisms underlying selective synapse formation of photoreceptor cells with bipolar and horizontal cells in the retina. In addition, we describe how defects/mutations of the molecules involved in photoreceptor synapse formation are associated with human retinal diseases and visual disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahisa Furukawa
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Akiko Ueno
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Omori
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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Orlandi C, Omori Y, Wang Y, Cao Y, Ueno A, Roux MJ, Condomitti G, de Wit J, Kanagawa M, Furukawa T, Martemyanov KA. Transsynaptic Binding of Orphan Receptor GPR179 to Dystroglycan-Pikachurin Complex Is Essential for the Synaptic Organization of Photoreceptors. Cell Rep 2020; 25:130-145.e5. [PMID: 30282023 PMCID: PMC6203450 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishing synaptic contacts between neurons is paramount for nervous system function. This process involves transsynaptic interactions between a host of cell adhesion molecules that act in cooperation with the proteins of the extracellular matrix to specify uniquephysiological propertiesofindividual synaptic connections. However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms that generate functional diversity in an input-specific fashion is limited. In this study, we identify that major components of the extracellular matrix proteins present in the synaptic cleft—members oftheheparansulfateproteoglycan (HSPG) family—associate with the GPR158/179 group of orphan receptors. Using the mammalian retina as a model system, we demonstrate that the HSPG member Pikachurin, released by photoreceptors, recruits a key post-synaptic signaling complex of downstream ON-bipolar neurons in coordination with the presynaptic dystroglycan glycoprotein complex. We further demonstrate that this transsynaptic assembly plays an essential role in synaptic transmission of photoreceptor signals. Orlandi et al. identify transsynaptic assembly at photoreceptor synapses involving pre-synaptic dystrophindystroglycan complex and the postsynaptic orphan receptor GPR179 bridged by HSPG protein Pikachurin in the cleft and demonstrate its role in shaping transmission of photoreceptor signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Orlandi
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Omori
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Yan Cao
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Akiko Ueno
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michel J Roux
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France
| | - Giuseppe Condomitti
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris de Wit
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Motoi Kanagawa
- Division of Molecular Brain Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan
| | - Takahisa Furukawa
- Laboratory for Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kirill A Martemyanov
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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Laird JG, Gardner SH, Kopel AJ, Kerov V, Lee A, Baker SA. Rescue of Rod Synapses by Induction of Cav Alpha 1F in the Mature Cav1.4 Knock-Out Mouse Retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3150-3161. [PMID: 31335952 PMCID: PMC6656410 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cav1.4 is a voltage-gated calcium channel clustered at the presynaptic active zones of photoreceptors. Cav1.4 functions in communication by mediating the Ca2+ influx that triggers neurotransmitter release. It also aids in development since rod ribbon synapses do not form in Cav1.4 knock-out mice. Here we used a rescue strategy to investigate the ability of Cav1.4 to trigger synaptogenesis in both immature and mature mouse rods. Methods In vivo electroporation was used to transiently express Cav α1F or tamoxifen-inducible Cav α1F in a subset of Cav1.4 knock-out mouse rods. Synaptogenesis was assayed using morphologic markers and a vision-guided water maze. Results We found that introduction of Cav α1F to knock-out terminals rescued synaptic development as indicated by PSD-95 expression and elongated ribbons. When expression of Cav α1F was induced in mature animals, we again found restoration of PSD-95 and elongated ribbons. However, the induced expression of Cav α1F led to diffuse distribution of Cav α1F in the terminal instead of being clustered beneath the ribbon. Approximately a quarter of treated animals passed the water maze test, suggesting the rescue of retinal signaling in these mice. Conclusions These data confirm that Cav α1F expression is necessary for rod synaptic terminal development and demonstrate that rescue is robust even in adult animals with late stages of synaptic disease. The degree of rod synaptic plasticity seen here should be sufficient to support future vision-restoring treatments such as gene or cell replacement that will require photoreceptor synaptic rewiring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Laird
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Sarah H. Gardner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Ariel J. Kopel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Vasily Kerov
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Amy Lee
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Sheila A. Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
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10
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Dembla M, Kesharwani A, Natarajan S, Fecher-Trost C, Fairless R, Williams SK, Flockerzi V, Diem R, Schwarz K, Schmitz F. Early auto-immune targeting of photoreceptor ribbon synapses in mouse models of multiple sclerosis. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201808926. [PMID: 30266776 PMCID: PMC6220320 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201808926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic neuritis is one of the first manifestations of multiple sclerosis. Its pathogenesis is incompletely understood, but considered to be initiated by an auto‐immune response directed against myelin sheaths of the optic nerve. Here, we demonstrate in two frequently used and well‐validated mouse models of optic neuritis that ribbon synapses in the myelin‐free retina are targeted by an auto‐reactive immune system even before alterations in the optic nerve have developed. The auto‐immune response is directed against two adhesion proteins (CASPR1/CNTN1) that are present both in the paranodal region of myelinated nerves as well as at retinal ribbon synapses. This occurs in parallel with altered synaptic vesicle cycling in retinal ribbon synapses and altered visual behavior before the onset of optic nerve demyelination. These findings indicate that early synaptic dysfunctions in the retina contribute to the pathology of optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Dembla
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ajay Kesharwani
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sivaraman Natarajan
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Fecher-Trost
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Richard Fairless
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah K Williams
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Veit Flockerzi
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ricarda Diem
- Department of Neurology, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
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11
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Dopamine-Dependent Sensitization of Rod Bipolar Cells by GABA Is Conveyed through Wide-Field Amacrine Cells. J Neurosci 2017; 38:723-732. [PMID: 29217689 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1994-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate retina has the remarkable ability to support visual function under conditions of limited illumination, including the processing of signals evoked by single photons. Dim-light vision is regulated by several adaptive mechanisms. The mechanism explored in this study is responsible for increasing the light sensitivity and operational range of rod bipolar cells, the retinal neurons operating immediately downstream of rod photoreceptors. This sensitization is achieved through the sustained dopamine-dependent GABA release from other retinal neurons. Our goals were to identify the cell type responsible for the GABA release and the site of its modulation by dopamine. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of amacrine and/or horizontal cells. We now demonstrate, using mice of both sexes, that horizontal cells do not participate in this mechanism. Instead, sustained GABA input is provided by a subpopulation of wide-field amacrine cells, which stimulate the GABAC receptors at rod bipolar cell axons. We also found that dopamine does not act directly on either of these cells. Rather, it suppresses inhibition imposed on these wide-field cells by another subpopulation of upstream GABAergic amacrine cells, thereby sustaining the GABAC receptor activation required for rod bipolar cell sensitization.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The vertebrate retina has an exquisite ability to adjust information processing to ever-changing conditions of ambient illumination, from bright sunlight to single-photon counting under dim starlight. Operation under each of these functional regimes requires an engagement of specific adaptation mechanisms. Here, we describe a mechanism optimizing the performance of the dim-light channel of vision, which consists of sensitizing rod bipolar cells by a sustained GABAergic input originating from a population of wide-field amacrine cells. Wide-field amacrine cells span large segments of the retina, making them uniquely equipped to normalize and optimize response sensitivity across distant receptive fields and preclude any bias toward local light-intensity fluctuations.
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Martemyanov KA, Sampath AP. The Transduction Cascade in Retinal ON-Bipolar Cells: Signal Processing and Disease. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2017; 3:25-51. [PMID: 28715957 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-102016-061338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Our robust visual experience is based on the reliable transfer of information from our photoreceptor cells, the rods and cones, to higher brain centers. At the very first synapse of the visual system, information is split into two separate pathways, ON and OFF, which encode increments and decrements in light intensity, respectively. The importance of this segregation is borne out in the fact that receptive fields in higher visual centers maintain a separation between ON and OFF regions. In the past decade, the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of ON signals have been identified, which are unique in their use of a G-protein signaling cascade. In this review, we consider advances in our understanding of G-protein signaling in ON-bipolar cell (BC) dendrites and how insights about signaling have emerged from visual deficits, mostly night blindness. Studies of G-protein signaling in ON-BCs reveal an intricate mechanism that permits the regulation of visual sensitivity over a wide dynamic range.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alapakkam P Sampath
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095;
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Intermolecular Interaction between Anchoring Subunits Specify Subcellular Targeting and Function of RGS Proteins in Retina ON-Bipolar Neurons. J Neurosci 2016; 36:2915-25. [PMID: 26961947 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3833-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In vertebrate retina, light responses generated by the rod photoreceptors are transmitted to the second-order neurons, the ON-bipolar cells (ON-BC), and this communication is indispensible for vision in dim light. In ON-BCs, synaptic transmission is initiated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR6, that signals via the G-protein Go to control opening of the effector ion channel, TRPM1. A key role in this process belongs to the GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) complex that catalyzes Go inactivation upon light-induced suppression of glutamate release in rod photoreceptors, thereby driving ON-BC depolarization to changes in synaptic input. The GAP complex has a striking molecular complexity. It contains two Regulator of G-protein Signaling (RGS) proteins RGS7 and RGS11 that directly act on Go and two adaptor subunits: RGS Anchor Protein (R9AP) and the orphan receptor, GPR179. Here we examined the organizational principles of the GAP complex in ON-BCs. Biochemical experiments revealed that RGS7 binds to a conserved site in GPR179 and that RGS11 in vivo forms a complex only with R9AP. R9AP and GPR179 are further integrated via direct protein-protein interactions involving their cytoplasmic domains. Elimination of GPR179 prevents postsynaptic accumulation of R9AP. Furthermore, concurrent knock-out of both R9AP and RGS7 does not reconfigure the GAP complex and completely abolishes synaptic transmission, resulting in a novel mouse model of night blindness. Based on these results, we propose a model of hierarchical assembly and function of the GAP complex that supports ON-BCs visual signaling.
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