June 2013
Volume 54, Issue 15
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2013
Ablation of the X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa 2 (Rp2) gene in mice results in opsin mistrafficking and photoreceptor degeneration
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Linjing Li
    UMASS Medical School, Worcester, MA
  • Naheed Khan
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Toby Hurd
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Amiya Ghosh
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Christiana Chang
    Centre for Macular Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Robert Molday
    Centre for Macular Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • John Heckenlively
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Anand Swaroop
    National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD
  • Hemant Khanna
    UMASS Medical School, Worcester, MA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Linjing Li, None; Naheed Khan, None; Toby Hurd, None; Amiya Ghosh, None; Christiana Chang, None; Robert Molday, None; John Heckenlively, None; Anand Swaroop, None; Hemant Khanna, None
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2013, Vol.54, 295. doi:
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      Linjing Li, Naheed Khan, Toby Hurd, Amiya Ghosh, Christiana Chang, Robert Molday, John Heckenlively, Anand Swaroop, Hemant Khanna; Ablation of the X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa 2 (Rp2) gene in mice results in opsin mistrafficking and photoreceptor degeneration. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2013;54(15):295.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP) is a debilitating disorder of the eye characterized by degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. Mutations in the RP2 gene are associated with 10-15% of XLRP cases. However, the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of RP2-mediated photoreceptor degeneration is unclear.

Methods: We utilized the Cre/loxp system to delete exon 2, a mutational hotspot in humans, of the Rp2 gene in mice using transgenic mice expressing the Cre under the control of the ubiquitously expressing CAG promoter. RP2 expression was examined by RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. Histology and transmission electron microscopy (EM) were employed to find the morphological changes. Retinal function was tested by electroretinography (ERG).

Results: The mutant retina (Rp2-conditional knock out; Rp2CKO) exhibited undetectable RP2 protein levels, as determined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analyses. The Rp2CKO mice showed progressive decline in photopic (cone) and scotopic (rod) ERG, starting at 2 months of age. Histological analysis revealed progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor layer in the mutant retina. Deletion of Rp2 resulted in disorganized outer segment discs in rods and cones, while sparing outer segment development. Degeneration of both dorsal and ventral cones and mislocalization of cone opsins to the nuclear and synaptic layers prior to the onset of degeneration were detected in the mutant retina. There was no detectable defect in the expression and localization of rod and cone arrestin, cone transducin subunits or RP2-interacting protein ARL3.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that RP2 is involved in the maintenance of photoreceptor function and that cone opsin misliocalization plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of RP2-associated disease.

Keywords: 695 retinal degenerations: cell biology • 648 photoreceptors • 702 retinitis  
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