Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:X–linked Progressive Atrophy (XLPRA) is the canine homolog of human RP3. Microdeletions in exon ORF15 of the Retinitis Pigmentosa Guanosine triphosphatase Regulator (RPGR) gene cause XLPRA in two mutant canine strains: XLPRA1 (Siberian husky derived) and XLPRA2 (mongrel derived). To evaluate gene expression profiles in normal, XLPRA1–, and XLPRA2–affected retinas, we utilized custom made cDNA microarrays containing about 4,500 non–redundant elements obtained from a normalized canine retinal cDNA library described previously. Methods:For microarray analyses, we used the 3DNA array 50 kit. Hybridization signals were visualized with Cyanine–5 and Cyanine–3 fluorescent reporter molecules and fluorescence intensities of the spots were analyzed by GenetrafficTM software. The microarrays were validated using 10µg of pooled canine brain total RNA, which also served as a reference to evaluate gene expression in retinas. Results:We established the normal retinal gene expression profile for comparison with the pattern expressed in XLPRA1– and XLPRA2–affected retinas. This identified a subset of cDNAs that are differentially expressed in each disease. These genes are now under further evaluation. Conclusions:These differences in gene expression profiles for photoreceptor degenerative process could identify expression changes in genes or gene families that are specific to one mutation or are common to both.
Keywords: gene microarray • retinal degenerations: hereditary • retina