AIPL1, A protein linked to blindness, is essential for the stability of enzymes mediating cGMP metabolism in cone photoreceptor cells.
Hum Mol Genet
; 23(4): 1002-12, 2014 Feb 15.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24108108
ABSTRACT
Defects in the photoreceptor-specific gene encoding aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein like-1 (AIPL1) are linked to blinding diseases, including Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and cone dystrophy. While it is apparent that AIPL1 is needed for rod and cone function, the role of AIPL1 in cones is not clear. In this study, using an all-cone animal model lacking Aipl1, we show a light-independent degeneration of M- and S-opsin containing cones that proceeds in a ventral-to-dorsal gradient. Aipl1 is needed for stability, assembly and membrane association of cone PDE6, an enzyme crucial for photoreceptor function and survival. Furthermore, RetGC1, a protein linked to LCA that is needed for cGMP synthesis, was dramatically reduced in cones lacking Aipl1. A defect in RetGC1 is supported by our finding that cones lacking Aipl1 exhibited reduced levels of cGMP. These findings are in contrast to the role of Aipl1 in rods, where destabilization of rod PDE6 results in an increase in cGMP levels, which drives rapid rod degeneration. Our results illustrate mechanistic differences behind the death of rods and cones in retinal degenerative disease caused by deficiencies in AIPL1.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Blindness
/
Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells
/
Cyclic GMP
/
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
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Leber Congenital Amaurosis
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Hum Mol Genet
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
GENETICA MEDICA
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article