Ca2+ and Mg2+ Influence the Thermodynamics of Peptide-Membrane Interactions.

Accurate quantitative estimates of protein-membrane interactions are critical to studies of membrane proteins. Here, we demonstrate that thermodynamic analyses based on current hydropathy scales do not account for the significant and experimentally determined effects that Ca2+ or Mg2+ have on protein-membrane interactions. We examined distinct modes of interaction (interfacial partitioning and folding and transmembrane insertion) by studying three highly divergent peptides: Bid-BH3 (derived from apoptotic regulator Bid), peripherin-2-derived prph2-CTER, and the cancer-targeting pH-Low-Insertion-Peptide (pHLIP). Fluorescence experiments demonstrate that adding 1-2 mM of divalent cations led to a substantially more favorable bilayer partitioning and insertion, with free energy differences of 5-15 kcal/mol.

Loss of PRCD alters number and packaging density of rhodopsin in rod photoreceptor disc membranes.

Progressive rod-cone degeneration (PRCD) is a small protein localized to photoreceptor outer segment (OS) disc membranes. Several mutations in PRCD are linked to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in canines and humans, and while recent studies have established that PRCD is required for high fidelity disc morphogenesis, its precise role in this process remains a mystery. To better understand the part which PRCD plays in disease progression as well as its contribution to photoreceptor OS disc morphogenesis, we generated a Prcd-KO animal model using CRISPR/Cas9. Loss of PRCD from the retina results in reduced visual function accompanied by slow rod photoreceptor degeneration. We observed a significant decrease in rhodopsin levels in Prcd-KO retina prior to photoreceptor degeneration. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis demonstrates that rod photoreceptors lacking PRCD display disoriented and dysmorphic OS disc membranes. Strikingly, atomic force microscopy reveals that many disc membranes in Prcd-KO rod photoreceptor neurons are irregular, containing fewer rhodopsin molecules and decreased rhodopsin packing density compared to wild-type discs. This study strongly suggests an important role for PRCD in regulation of rhodopsin incorporation and packaging density into disc membranes, a process which, when dysregulated, likely gives rise to the visual defects observed in patients with PRCD-associated RP.

Multistep peripherin-2/rds self-assembly drives membrane curvature for outer segment disk architecture and photoreceptor viability.

Rod and cone photoreceptor outer segment (OS) structural integrity is essential for normal vision; disruptions contribute to a broad variety of retinal ciliopathies. OSs possess many hundreds of stacked membranous disks, which capture photons and scaffold the phototransduction cascade. Although the molecular basis of OS structure remains unresolved, recent studies suggest that the photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin, peripherin-2/rds (P/rds), may contribute to the highly curved rim domains at disk edges. Here, we demonstrate that tetrameric P/rds self-assembly is required for generating high-curvature membranes in cellulo, implicating the noncovalent tetramer as a minimal unit of function. P/rds activity was promoted by disulfide-mediated tetramer polymerization, which transformed localized regions of curvature into high-curvature tubules of extended lengths. Transmission electron microscopy visualization of P/rds purified from OS membranes revealed disulfide-linked tetramer chains up to 100 nm long, suggesting that chains maintain membrane curvature continuity over extended distances. We tested this idea in Xenopus laevis photoreceptors, and found that transgenic expression of nonchain-forming P/rds generated abundant high-curvature OS membranes, which were improperly but specifically organized as ectopic incisures and disk rims. These striking phenotypes demonstrate the importance of P/rds tetramer chain formation for the continuity of rim formation during disk morphogenesis. Overall, this study advances understanding of the normal structure and function of P/rds for OS architecture and biogenesis, and clarifies how pathogenic loss-of-function mutations in P/rds cause photoreceptor structural defects to trigger progressive retinal degenerations. It also introduces the possibility that other tetraspanins may generate or sense membrane curvature in support of diverse biological functions.

Loss of MPC1 reprograms retinal metabolism to impair visual function.

Glucose metabolism in vertebrate retinas is dominated by aerobic glycolysis (the "Warburg Effect"), which allows only a small fraction of glucose-derived pyruvate to enter mitochondria. Here, we report evidence that the small fraction of pyruvate in photoreceptors that does get oxidized by their mitochondria is required for visual function, photoreceptor structure and viability, normal neuron-glial interaction, and homeostasis of retinal metabolism. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) links glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism. Retina-specific deletion of MPC1 results in progressive retinal degeneration and decline of visual function in both rod and cone photoreceptors. Using targeted-metabolomics and 13C tracers, we found that MPC1 is required for cytosolic reducing power maintenance, glutamine/glutamate metabolism, and flexibility in fuel utilization.

ARL13B, a Joubert Syndrome-Associated Protein, Is Critical for Retinogenesis and Elaboration of Mouse Photoreceptor Outer Segments.

Mutations in the Joubert syndrome-associated small GTPase ARL13B are linked to photoreceptor impairment and vision loss. To determine the role of ARL13B in the development, function, and maintenance of ciliated photoreceptors, we generated a pan-retina knock-out (Six3-Cre) and a rod photoreceptor-specific inducible conditional knock-out (Pde6g-CreERT2) of ARL13B using murine models. Embryonic deletion of ARL13B led to defects in retinal development with reduced cell proliferation. In the absence of ARL13B, photoreceptors failed to develop outer segment (OS) membranous discs and axonemes, resulting in loss of function and rapid degeneration. Additionally, the majority of photoreceptor basal bodies did not dock properly at the apical edge of the inner segments. The removal of ARL13B in adult rod photoreceptor cells after maturation of OS resulted in loss of photoresponse and vesiculation in the OS. Before changes in photoresponse, removal of ARL13B led to mislocalization of rhodopsin, prenylated phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6), and intraflagellar transport protein-88 (IFT88). Our findings show that ARL13B is required at multiple stages of retinogenesis, including early postnatal proliferation of retinal progenitor cells, development of photoreceptor cilia, and morphogenesis of photoreceptor OS discs regardless of sex. Last, our results establish a need for ARL13B in photoreceptor maintenance and protein trafficking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The normal development of photoreceptor cilia is essential to create functional, organized outer segments with stacked membrane discs that house the phototransduction proteins necessary for sight. Our study identifies a complex role for ARL13B, a small GTPase linked to Joubert syndrome and visual impairment, at various stages of photoreceptor development. Loss of ARL13B led to defects in retinal proliferation, altered placement of basal bodies crucial for components of the cilium (transition zone) to emanate, and absence of photoreceptor-stacked discs. These defects led to extinguished visual response and dysregulated protein trafficking. Our findings show the complex role ARL13B plays in photoreceptor development, viability, and function. Our study accounts for the severe retinal impairment observed in ARL13B-linked Joubert syndrome patients.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor-Like 2 (ARL2) regulates cilia stability and development of outer segments in rod photoreceptor neurons.

Photoreceptor cells are specialized neurons with a sensory cilium carrying an elaborate membrane structure, the outer segment (OS). Inherited mutations in genes involved in ciliogenesis frequently result in OS malformation and blindness. ADP-ribosylation factor-like 2 (ARL2) has recently been implicated in OS formation through its association with Binder of ARL2 (BART or ARL2BP), a protein linked to inherited blinding disease. To test the role of ARL2 in vision we created a transgenic mouse model expressing a tagged-dominant active form of human ARL2 (ARL2-Q70L) under a rod-specific promoter. Transgenic ARL2-Q70L animals exhibit reduced photoreceptor cell function as early as post-natal day 16 and progressive rod degeneration. We attribute loss of photoreceptor function to the defective OS morphogenesis in the ARL2-Q70L transgenic model. ARL2-Q70L expression results in shortened inner and outer segments, shortened and mislocalized axonemes and cytoplasmic accumulation of rhodopsin. In conclusion, we show that ARL2-Q70L is crucial for photoreceptor neuron sensory cilium development. Future research will expand upon our hypothesis that ARL2-Q70L mutant interferes with microtubule maintenance and tubulin regulation resulting in impaired growth of the axoneme and elaboration of the photoreceptor outer segment.

ARL2BP, a protein linked to retinitis pigmentosa, is needed for normal photoreceptor cilia doublets and outer segment structure.

The outer segment (OS) of photoreceptor cells is an elaboration of a primary cilium with organized stacks of membranous disks that contain the proteins needed for phototransduction and vision. Though ciliary formation and function has been well characterized, little is known about the role of cilia in the development of photoreceptor OS. Nevertheless, progress has been made by studying mutations in ciliary proteins, which often result in malformed OSs and lead to blinding diseases. To investigate how ciliary proteins contribute to OS formation, we generated a knockout (KO) mouse model for ARL2BP, a ciliary protein linked to retinitis pigmentosa. The KO mice display an early and progressive reduction in visual response. Before photoreceptor degeneration, we observed disorganization of the photoreceptor OS, with vertically aligned disks and shortened axonemes. Interestingly, ciliary doublet microtubule (MT) structure was also impaired, displaying open B-tubule doublets, paired with loss of singlet MTs. On the basis of results from this study, we conclude that ARL2BP is necessary for photoreceptor ciliary doublet formation and axoneme elongation, which is required for OS morphogenesis and vision.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome-8 (BBS8) protein is crucial for the development of outer segments in photoreceptor neurons.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy characterized by developmental abnormalities and vision loss. To date, mutations in 21 genes have been linked to BBS. The products of eight of these BBS genes form a stable octameric complex termed the BBSome. Mutations in BBS8, a component of the BBSome, cause early vision loss, but the role of BBS8 in supporting vision is not known. To understand the mechanisms by which BBS8 supports rod and cone photoreceptor function, we generated animal models lacking BBS8. The loss of BBS8 protein led to concomitant decrease in the levels of BBSome subunits, BBS2 and BBS5 and increase in the levels of the BBS1 and BBS4 subunits. BBS8 ablation was associated with severe reduction of rod and cone photoreceptor function and progressive degeneration of each photoreceptor subtype. We observed disorganized and shortened photoreceptor outer segments (OS) at post-natal day 10 as the OS elaborates. Interestingly, loss of BBS8 led to changes in the distribution of photoreceptor axonemal proteins and hyper-acetylation of ciliary microtubules. In contrast to properly localized phototransduction machinery, we observed OS accumulation of syntaxin3, a protein normally found in the cytoplasm and the synaptic termini. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate the requirement for BBS8 in early development and elaboration of ciliated photoreceptor OS, explaining the need for BBS8 in normal vision. The findings from our study also imply that early targeting of both rods and cones in BBS8 patients is crucial for successful restoration of vision.

Peripherin diverts ciliary ectosome release to photoreceptor disc morphogenesis.

Formation of membrane discs in photoreceptor cells requires evagination of its ciliary plasma membrane by an unknown molecular mechanism. Salinas et al. (2017. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201608081) show that peripherin (also known as peripherin-2 or peripherin-2/rds) diverts membrane traffic to photoreceptor disc formation by inhibiting ectosome release from the cilium.

An inducible amphipathic helix within the intrinsically disordered C terminus can participate in membrane curvature generation by peripherin-2/rds.

Peripherin-2/rds is required for biogenesis of vertebrate photoreceptor outer segment organelles. Its localization at the high-curvature rim domains of outer segment disk membranes suggests that it may act to shape these structures; however, the molecular function of this protein is not yet resolved. Here, we apply biochemical, biophysical, and imaging techniques to elucidate the role(s) played by the protein's intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain and an incipient amphipathic α-helix contained within it. We investigated a deletion mutant lacking only this α-helix in stable cell lines and Xenopus laevis photoreceptors. We also studied a soluble form of the full-length ∼7-kDa cytoplasmic C terminus in cultured cells and purified from Escherichia coli The α-helical motif was not required for protein biosynthesis, tetrameric subunit assembly, tetramer polymerization, localization at disk rims, interaction with GARP2, or the generation of membrane curvature. Interestingly, however, loss of the helical motif up-regulated membrane curvature generation in cellulo, introducing the possibility that it may regulate this activity in photoreceptors. Furthermore, the incipient α-helix (within the purified soluble C terminus) partitioned into membranes only when its acidic residues were neutralized by protonation. This suggests that within the context of full-length peripherin-2/rds, partitioning would most likely occur at a bilayer interfacial region, potentially adjacent to the protein's transmembrane domains. In sum, this study significantly strengthens the evidence that peripherin-2/rds functions directly to shape the high-curvature rim domains of the outer segment disk and suggests that the protein's C terminus may modulate membrane curvature-generating activity present in other protein domains.

Molecular basis for photoreceptor outer segment architecture.

To serve vision, vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors must detect photons, convert the light stimuli into cellular signals, and then convey the encoded information to downstream neurons. Rods and cones are sensory neurons that each rely on specialized ciliary organelles to detect light. These organelles, called outer segments, possess elaborate architectures that include many hundreds of light-sensitive membranous disks arrayed one atop another in precise register. These stacked disks capture light and initiate the chain of molecular and cellular events that underlie normal vision. Outer segment organization is challenged by an inherently dynamic nature; these organelles are subject to a renewal process that replaces a significant fraction of their disks (up to ∼10%) on a daily basis. In addition, a broad range of environmental and genetic insults can disrupt outer segment morphology to impair photoreceptor function and viability. In this chapter, we survey the major progress that has been made for understanding the molecular basis of outer segment architecture. We also discuss key aspects of organelle lipid and protein composition, and highlight distributions, interactions, and potential structural functions of key OS-resident molecules, including: kinesin-2, actin, RP1, prominin-1, protocadherin 21, peripherin-2/rds, rom-1, glutamic acid-rich proteins, and rhodopsin. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and challenges that remain for understanding how normal outer segment architecture is established and maintained.

ARL3 regulates trafficking of prenylated phototransduction proteins to the rod outer segment.

The small GTPase, ADP-ribosylation factor-like 3 (ARL3), has been proposed to participate in the transport of proteins in photoreceptor cells. Moreover, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis associated with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) resulting from mutations in the ARL3 GTPase activating protein, retinitis pigmentosa 2 (RP2). To determine the importance of ARL3 in rod photoreceptor cells, we generated transgenic mice expressing a dominant active form of ARL3 (ARL3-Q71L) under a rod-specific promoter. ARL3-Q71L animals exhibited extensive rod cell death after post-natal day 30 (PN30) and degeneration was complete by PN70. Prior to the onset of cell death, rod photoresponse was significantly reduced along with a robust decrease in rod phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) and G-protein receptor kinase-1 (GRK1) levels. Furthermore, assembled phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) subunits, rod transducin and G-protein receptor kinase-1 (GRK1) accumulated on large punctate structures within the inner segment in ARL3-Q71L retina. Defective trafficking of prenylated proteins is likely due to sequestration of prenyl binding protein δ (PrBPδ) by ARL3-Q71L as we demonstrate a specific interaction between these proteins in the retina. Unexpectedly, our studies also revealed a novel role for ARL3 in the migration of photoreceptor nuclei. In conclusion, this study identifies ARL3 as a key player in prenylated protein trafficking in rod photoreceptor cells and establishes the potential role for ARL3 dysregulation in the pathogenesis of RP2-related forms of XLRP.

The Disease Protein Tulp1 Is Essential for Periactive Zone Endocytosis in Photoreceptor Ribbon Synapses.

Mutations in the Tulp1 gene cause severe, early-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP14) in humans. In the retina, Tulp1 is mainly expressed in photoreceptors that use ribbon synapses to communicate with the inner retina. In the present study, we demonstrate that Tulp1 is highly enriched in the periactive zone of photoreceptor presynaptic terminals where Tulp1 colocalizes with major endocytic proteins close to the synaptic ribbon. Analyses of Tulp1 knock-out mice demonstrate that Tulp1 is essential to keep endocytic proteins enriched at the periactive zone and to maintain high levels of endocytic activity close to the synaptic ribbon. Moreover, we have discovered a novel interaction between Tulp1 and the synaptic ribbon protein RIBEYE, which is important to maintain synaptic ribbon integrity. The current findings suggest a new model for Tulp1-mediated localization of the endocytic machinery at the periactive zone of ribbon synapses and offer a new rationale and mechanism for vision loss associated with genetic defects in Tulp1.

Viral-mediated vision rescue of a novel AIPL1 cone-rod dystrophy model.

Defects in aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein-like1 (AIPL1) are associated with blinding diseases with a wide range of severity in humans. We examined the mechanism behind autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (adCORD) caused by 12 base pair (bp) deletion at proline 351 of hAIPL1 (P351Δ12) mutation in the primate-specific region of human AIPL1. Mutant P351Δ12 human isoform, aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein-like 1 (hAIPL1) mice demonstrated a CORD phenotype with early defects in cone-mediated vision and subsequent photoreceptor degeneration. A dominant CORD phenotype was observed in double transgenic animals expressing both mutant P351Δ12 and normal hAIPL1, but not with co-expression of P351Δ12 hAIPL1 and the mouse isoform, aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein-like 1 (mAipl1). Despite a dominant effect of the mutation, we successfully rescued cone-mediated vision in P351Δ12 hAIPL1 mice following high over-expression of WT hAIPL1 by adeno-associated virus-mediated gene delivery, which was stable up to 6 months after treatment. Our transgenic P351Δ12 hAIPL1 mouse offers a novel model of AIPL1-CORD, with distinct defects from both the Aipl1-null mouse mimicking LCA and the Aipl1-hypomorphic mice mimicking a slow progressing RP.

Membrane curvature generation by a C-terminal amphipathic helix in peripherin-2/rds, a tetraspanin required for photoreceptor sensory cilium morphogenesis.

Vertebrate vision requires photon absorption by photoreceptor outer segments (OSs), structurally elaborate membranous organelles derived from non-motile sensory cilia. The structure and function of OSs depends on a precise stacking of hundreds of membranous disks. Each disk is fully (as in rods) or partially (as in cones) bounded by a rim, at which the membrane is distorted into an energetically unfavorable high-curvature bend; however, the mechanism(s) underlying disk rim structure is (are) not established. Here, we demonstrate that the intrinsically disordered cytoplasmic C-terminus of the photoreceptor tetraspanin peripherin-2/rds (P/rds) can directly generate membrane curvature. A P/rds C-terminal domain and a peptide mimetic of an amphipathic helix contained within it each generated curvature in liposomes with a composition similar to that of OS disks and in liposomes generated from native OS lipids. Association of the C-terminal domain with liposomes required conical phospholipids, and was promoted by membrane curvature and anionic surface charge, results suggesting that the P/rds C-terminal amphipathic helix can partition into the cytosolic membrane leaflet to generate curvature by a hydrophobic insertion (wedging) mechanism. This activity was evidenced in full-length P/rds by its induction of small-diameter tubulovesicular membrane foci in cultured cells. In sum, the findings suggest that curvature generation by the P/rds C-terminus contributes to the distinctive structure of OS disk rims, and provide insight into how inherited defects in P/rds can disrupt organelle structure to cause retinal disease. They also raise the possibility that tethered amphipathic helices can function for shaping cellular membranes more generally.

Depolarizing bipolar cell dysfunction due to a Trpm1 point mutation.

Mutations in TRPM1 are found in humans with an autosomal recessive form of complete congenital stationary night blindness (cCSNB). The Trpm1(-/-) mouse has been an important animal model for this condition. Here we report a new mouse mutant, tvrm27, identified in a chemical mutagenesis screen. Genetic mapping of the no b-wave electroretinogram (ERG) phenotype of tvrm27 localized the mutation to a chromosomal region that included Trpm1. Complementation testing with Trpm1(-/-) mice confirmed a mutation in Trpm1. Sequencing identified a nucleotide change in exon 23, converting a highly conserved alanine within the pore domain to threonine (p.A1068T). Consistent with prior studies of Trpm1(-/-) mice, no anatomical changes were noted in the Trpm1(tvrm27/tvrm27) retina. The Trpm1(tvrm27/tvrm27) phenotype is distinguished from that of Trpm1(-/-) by the retention of TRPM1 expression on the dendritic tips of depolarizing bipolar cells (DBCs). While ERG b-wave amplitudes of Trpm1(+/-) heterozygotes are comparable to wild type, those of Trpm1(+/tvrm27) mice are reduced by 32%. A similar reduction in the response of Trpm1(+/tvrm27) DBCs to LY341495 or capsaicin is evident in whole cell recordings. These data indicate that the p.A1068T mutant TRPM1 acts as a dominant negative with respect to TRPM1 channel function. Furthermore, these data indicate that the number of functional TRPM1 channels at the DBC dendritic tips is a key factor in defining DBC response amplitude. The Trpm1(tvrm27/tvrm27) mutant will be useful for elucidating the role of TRPM1 in DBC signal transduction, for determining how Trpm1 mutations impact central visual processing, and for evaluating experimental therapies for cCSNB.

Protective gene expression changes elicited by an inherited defect in photoreceptor structure.

Inherited defects in retinal photoreceptor structure impair visual transduction, disrupt relationship with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and compromise cell viability. A variety of progressive retinal degenerative diseases can result, and knowledge of disease etiology remains incomplete. To investigate pathogenic mechanisms in such instances, we have characterized rod photoreceptor and retinal gene expression changes in response to a defined insult to photoreceptor structure, using the retinal degeneration slow (rds) mouse model. Global gene expression profiling was performed on flow-sorted rds and wild-type rod photoreceptors immediately prior and subsequent to times at which OSs are normally elaborated. Dysregulated genes were identified via microarray hybridization, and selected candidates were validated using quantitative PCR analyses. Both the array and qPCR data revealed that gene expression changes were generally modest and dispersed amongst a variety of known functional networks. Although genes showing major (>5-fold) differential expression were identified in a few instances, nearly all displayed transient temporal profiles, returning to WT levels by postnatal day (P) 21. These observations suggest that major defects in photoreceptor cell structure may induce early homeostatic responses, which function in a protective manner to promote cell viability. We identified a single key gene, Egr1, that was dysregulated in a sustained fashion in rds rod photoreceptors and retina. Egr1 upregulation was associated with microglial activation and migration into the outer retina at times subsequent to the major peak of photoreceptor cell death. Interestingly, this response was accompanied by neurotrophic factor upregulation. We hypothesize that activation of Egr1 and neurotrophic factors may represent a protective immune mechanism which contributes to the characteristically slow retinal degeneration of the rds mouse model.

GPR179 is required for depolarizing bipolar cell function and is mutated in autosomal-recessive complete congenital stationary night blindness.

Complete congenital stationary night blindness (cCSNB) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of retinal disorders characterized by nonprogressive impairment of night vision, absence of the electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave, and variable degrees of involvement of other visual functions. We report here that mutations in GPR179, encoding an orphan G protein receptor, underlie a form of autosomal-recessive cCSNB. The Gpr179(nob5/nob5) mouse model was initially discovered by the absence of the ERG b-wave, a component that reflects depolarizing bipolar cell (DBC) function. We performed genetic mapping, followed by next-generation sequencing of the critical region and detected a large transposon-like DNA insertion in Gpr179. The involvement of GPR179 in DBC function was confirmed in zebrafish and humans. Functional knockdown of gpr179 in zebrafish led to a marked reduction in the amplitude of the ERG b-wave. Candidate gene analysis of GPR179 in DNA extracted from patients with cCSNB identified GPR179-inactivating mutations in two patients. We developed an antibody against mouse GPR179, which robustly labeled DBC dendritic terminals in wild-type mice. This labeling colocalized with the expression of GRM6 and was absent in Gpr179(nob5/nob5) mutant mice. Our results demonstrate that GPR179 plays a critical role in DBC signal transduction and expands our understanding of the mechanisms that mediate normal rod vision.

Gene therapy using self-complementary Y733F capsid mutant AAV2/8 restores vision in a model of early onset Leber congenital amaurosis.

Defects in the photoreceptor-specific gene aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein-like 1 (Aipl1) are associated with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a childhood blinding disease with early-onset retinal degeneration and vision loss. Furthermore, Aipl1 defects are characterized at the most severe end of the LCA spectrum. The rapid photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss observed in the LCA patient population are mimicked in a mouse model lacking AIPL1. Using this model, we evaluated if gene replacement therapy using recent advancements in adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) provides advantages in preventing rapid retinal degeneration. Specifically, we demonstrated that the novel self-complementary Y733F capsid mutant AAV2/8 (sc-Y733F-AAV) provided greater preservation of photoreceptors and functional vision in Aipl1 null mice compared with single-stranded AAV2/8. The benefits of sc-Y733F-AAV were evident following viral administration during the active phase of retinal degeneration, where only sc-Y733F-AAV treatment achieved functional vision rescue. This result was likely due to higher and earlier onset of Aipl1 expression. Based on our studies, we conclude that the sc-Y733F-AAV2/8 viral vector, to date, achieves the best rescue for rapid retinal degeneration in Aipl1 null mice. Our results provide important considerations for viral vectors to be used in future gene therapy clinical trials targeting a wider severity spectrum of inherited retinal dystrophies.

Mitochondrial biogenesis and the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Retinal mitochondria become dysfunctional and their DNA (mtDNA) is damaged in diabetes. The biogenesis of mitochondrial DNA is tightly controlled by nuclear-mitochondrial transcriptional factors, and translocation of transcription factor A (TFAM) to the mitochondria is essential for transcription and replication. Our aim is to investigate the effects of diabetes on nuclear-mitochondrial communication in the retina and its role in the development of retinopathy. Damage of mtDNA, copy number, and biogenesis (PGC1, NRF1, TFAM) were analyzed in the retinas from streptozotocin-diabetic wild-type (WT) and MnSOD transgenic (Tg) mice. Binding between TFAM and chaperone Hsp70 was quantified by coimmunoprecipitation. The key parameters were confirmed in isolated retinal endothelial cells and in the retinas from human donors with diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes in WT mice increased retinal mtDNA damage and decreased copy number. The gene transcripts of PGC1, NRF1, and TFAM were increased, but mitochondrial accumulation of TFAM was significantly decreased, and the binding of Hsp70 and TFAM was subnormal compared to WT nondiabetic mice. However, Tg diabetic mice were protected from retinal mtDNA damage and alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis. In retinal endothelial cells, high glucose decreased the number of mitochondria, as demonstrated by MitoTracker green staining and by electron microscopy, and impaired the transcriptional factors. Similar alterations in biogenesis were observed in the donors with diabetic retinopathy. Thus, retinal mitochondrial biogenesis is under the control of superoxide radicals and is impaired in diabetes, possibly by decreased transport of TFAM to the mitochondria. Modulation of biogenesis by pharmaceutical or molecular means may provide a potential strategy to retard the development/progression of diabetic retinopathy.