scholarly journals Ift172 conditional knockout mice exhibit rapid retinal degeneration and protein trafficking defects

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya R Gupta ◽  
Nachiket Pendse ◽  
Scott H Greenwald ◽  
Mihoko Leon ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractIntraflagellar transport (IFT) is a bidirectional transport process that occurs along primary cilia and specialized sensory cilia, such as photoreceptor outer-segments. Genes coding for various IFT components are associated with ciliopathies. Mutations in IFT172 lead to diseases ranging from isolated retinal degeneration to severe syndromic ciliopathies. In this study, we created a mouse model of IFT172-associated retinal degeneration to investigate the ocular disease mechanism. We found that depletion of IFT172 in rod photoreceptors leads to a rapid degeneration of the retina, with severely reduced electroretinography responses by one month and complete outer-nuclear layer degeneration by two months. We investigated molecular mechanisms of degeneration and show that IFT172 protein reduction leads to mislocalization of specific photoreceptor outer-segments proteins (RHO, RP1, IFT139), aberrant light-driven translocation of alpha transducin and altered localization of glioma-associated oncogene family member 1 (GLI1). This murine model recapitulates the retinal phenotype seen in patients with IFT172-associated blindness and can be used for in vivo testing of ciliopathy therapies.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamato Ishida ◽  
Takuya Kobayashi ◽  
Shuhei Chiba ◽  
Yohei Katoh ◽  
Kazuhisa Nakayama

Abstract Primary cilia contain specific proteins to achieve their functions as cellular antennae. Ciliary protein trafficking is mediated by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery containing the IFT-A and IFT-B complexes. Mutations in genes encoding the IFT-A subunits (IFT43, IFT121/WDR35, IFT122, IFT139/TTC21B, IFT140, and IFT144/WDR19) often result in skeletal ciliopathies, including cranioectodermal dysplasia (CED). We here characterized the molecular and cellular defects of CED caused by compound heterozygous mutations in IFT144 [the missense variant IFT144(L710S) and the nonsense variant IFT144(R1103*)]. These two variants were distinct with regard to their interactions with other IFT-A subunits and with the IFT-B complex. When exogenously expressed in IFT144-knockout (KO) cells, IFT144(L710S) as well as IFT144(WT) rescued both moderately compromised ciliogenesis and the abnormal localization of ciliary proteins. As the homozygous IFT144(L710S) mutation was found to cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa, IFT144(L710S) is likely to be hypomorphic at the cellular level. In striking contrast, the exogenous expression of IFT144(R1103*) in IFT144-KO cells exacerbated the ciliogenesis defects. The expression of IFT144(R1103*) together with IFT144(WT) restored the abnormal phenotypes of IFT144-KO cells. However, the coexpression of IFT144(R1103*) with the hypomorphic IFT144(L710S) variant in IFT144-KO cells, which mimics the genotype of compound heterozygous CED patients, resulted in severe ciliogenesis defects. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that compound heterozygous mutations in IFT144 cause severe ciliary defects via a complicated mechanism, where one allele can cause severe ciliary defects when combined with a hypomorphic allele.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Makabe ◽  
Sunao Sugita ◽  
Michiko Mandai ◽  
Yoko Futatsugi ◽  
Masayo Takahashi

Abstract In patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), color fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) have been used to estimate the disease progression. To understand the origin and the diagnostic interpretation of the fundus color and FAF, we performed in vivo imaging of fundus color and FAF together with histological analyses of the retinal degeneration process using the RP model mice, rd10. FAF partly represented the accumulation of microglia in the photoreceptor outer segments. Fundus whitening suggested the presence of apoptotic cells, which spatiotemporally preceded increase in FAF. We observed two patterns of FAF localization, arcuate and diffuse, each indicating different pattern of apoptosis, wavy and diffuse, respectively. Diffuse pattern of apoptosis was suppressed in dark-raised rd10 mice, in which outer nuclear layer (ONL) loss was significantly suppressed. The occupancy of FAF correlated with the thinning rate of the ONL. Fractalkine, a microglia chemotactic factor, was detected in apoptotic photoreceptors, suggesting chemokine-induced recruitment of microglia into the ONL, which paralleled with accelerated ONL loss and increased FAF occupancy. Thus, we propose that the degree of photoreceptor apoptosis and the rate of ONL thinning in RP patients might be read from the fundus color and the FAF.


Author(s):  
Gilad Allon ◽  
Irit Mann ◽  
Lital Remez ◽  
Elisabeth Sehn ◽  
Leah Rizel ◽  
...  

Abstract Mutations of the PRCD gene are associated with rod-cone degeneration in both dogs and humans. Prcd is expressed in the mouse eye as early as embryonic day 14. In the adult mouse retina PRCD is expressed in the outer segments of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that PRCD is located at the outer segment rim, and that it is highly concentrated at the base of the outer segment. Prcd-knockout mice present with progressive retinal degeneration, starting at 20 weeks of age and onwards. This process is reflected by a significant and progressive reduction of both scotopic and photopic electroretinographic responses, and by thinning of the retina, and specifically of the outer nuclear layer, indicating photoreceptor loss. Electron microscopy revealed severe damage to photoreceptor outer segments, which is associated with immigration of microglia cells to the Prcd-knockout retina, and accumulation of vesicles in the inter-photoreceptor space. Phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segment discs by the retinal pigmented epithelium is severely reduced. Our data show that Prcd-knockout mice serve as a good model for retinal degeneration caused by PRCD mutations in humans. Our findings in these mice support the involvement of PRCD in outer segment disc formation of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Furthermore, they suggest a feedback mechanism which coordinates the rate of photoreceptor outer segment disc formation, shedding and phagocytosis. This study has important implications for understanding the function of PRCD in the retina, as well as for future development of treatment modalities for PRCD-deficiency in humans.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Bailey A. Allard ◽  
Tana S. Pottorf ◽  
Jay L. Vivian ◽  
Pamela V. Tran

AbstractPrimary cilia are sensory organelles that are essential for eukaryotic development and health. These antenna-like structures are synthesized by intraflagellar transport protein complexes, IFT-B and IFT-A, which mediate bi-directional protein trafficking along the ciliary axoneme. Here using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), we investigate the ciliary roles of two mammalian orthologues of Chlamydomonas IFT-A gene, IFT139, namely Thm1 (also known as Ttc21b) and Thm2 (Ttc21a). Thm1 loss causes perinatal lethality, and Thm2 loss allows survival into adulthood. At E14.5, the number of Thm1;Thm2 double mutant embryos is lower than that for a Mendelian ratio, indicating deletion of Thm1 and Thm2 causes mid-gestational lethality. We examined the ciliary phenotypes of mutant MEF. Thm1-mutant MEF show decreased cilia assembly, shortened primary cilia, a retrograde IFT defect for IFT and BBS proteins, and reduced ciliary entry of membrane-associated proteins. Thm1-mutant cilia also show a retrograde transport defect for the Hedgehog transducer, Smoothened, and an impaired response to Smoothened agonist, SAG. Thm2-null MEF show normal ciliary dynamics and Hedgehog signaling, but additional loss of a Thm1 allele impairs response to SAG. Further, Thm1;Thm2 double mutant MEF show enhanced cilia disassembly, and relative to Thm1-null MEF, increased impairment of IFT81 retrograde transport and of INPP5E ciliary import. Thus, Thm1 and Thm2 have unique and redundant roles in MEF. Thm1 regulates cilia assembly, and together with Thm2, cilia disassembly. Moreover, Thm1 alone and together with Thm2, regulates ciliary protein trafficking, Hedgehog signaling, and embryogenesis. These findings shed light on mechanisms underlying Thm1-, Thm2- or IFT-A-mediated ciliopathies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali S. Sharif ◽  
Cecilia D. Gerstner ◽  
Martha A. Cady ◽  
Vadim Y. Arshavsky ◽  
Christina Mitchell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTINPP5E (pharbin) is a ubiquitously-expressed, farnesylated phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5’-phosphatase which modulates the phosphoinositide composition of membranes. INPP5E resides in primary cilia, and mutations or loss of INPP5E are associated with ciliary dysfunction. INPP5E missense mutations of the phosphatase catalytic domain cause Joubert syndrome in humans, a syndromic ciliopathy affecting multiple tissues including brain, liver, kidney and retina. We show that, differing from other primary cilia, INPP5E is present in the wildtype photoreceptor inner segment and absent in the outer segment--a modified primary cilium dedicated to phototransduction. We generated Inpp5eF/F;Six3Cre (in short, retInpp5e-/-) mice which exhibit a rapidly progressing rod-cone degeneration nearly completed by postnatal day 21 (P21) in the central retina. Mutant cone outer segments contain vesicles instead of discs as early as P8. While P10 mutant outer segments contain phototransduction and structural proteins, they do not form axonemes and fail to elaborate disc membranes. Connecting cilia of retInpp5e-/- rods appear normal, although IFT-B/A particles accumulate at their distal ends suggesting disrupted intraflagellar transport. These results show that ablation of INPP5E does not impair the secretory pathway responsible for delivery of outer segment-specific proteins, but blocks axonemal extension and prevents disc morphogenesis.


Author(s):  
Elena A. May ◽  
Tommy J. Sroka ◽  
David U. Mick

The primary cilium is a solitary, microtubule-based membrane protrusion extending from the surface of quiescent cells that senses the cellular environment and triggers specific cellular responses. The functions of primary cilia require not only numerous different components but also their regulated interplay. The cilium performs highly dynamic processes, such as cell cycle-dependent assembly and disassembly as well as delivery, modification, and removal of signaling components to perceive and process external signals. On a molecular level, these processes often rely on a stringent control of key modulatory proteins, of which the activity, localization, and stability are regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). While an increasing number of PTMs on ciliary components are being revealed, our knowledge on the identity of the modifying enzymes and their modulation is still limited. Here, we highlight recent findings on cilia-specific phosphorylation and ubiquitylation events. Shedding new light onto the molecular mechanisms that regulate the sensitive equilibrium required to maintain and remodel primary cilia functions, we discuss their implications for cilia biogenesis, protein trafficking, and cilia signaling processes.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Carter ◽  
Ailís L. Moran ◽  
David Matallanas ◽  
Gavin J. McManus ◽  
Oliver E. Blacque ◽  
...  

AbstractThe photoreceptor outer segment is the canonical example of a modified and highly specialised cilium, with an expanded membrane surface area in the form of discs or lamellae for efficient light detection. Many ciliary proteins are essential for normal photoreceptor function and cilium dysfunction often results in retinal degeneration leading to impaired vision. Herein, we investigate the function and localisation of the ciliary G-protein RAB28 in zebrafish cone photoreceptors. CRISPR-Cas9 generated rab28 mutant zebrafish display a reduction in shed outer segment material in the RPE at 1 month post fertilisation (mpf), but otherwise normal retinal structure and visual function up to 12 mpf. Cone photoreceptor-specific transgenic reporter lines show Rab28 localises almost exclusively to outer segments, independently of nucleotide binding. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates tagged Rab28 interacts with components of the phototransduction cascade, including opsins, Phosphodiesterase 6C and Guanylate Cyclase 2D. Our data shed light on RAB28 function in cones and provide a model for RAB28-associated cone-rod dystrophy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 2012-2024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya R Gupta ◽  
Nachiket Pendse ◽  
Scott H Greenwald ◽  
Mihoko Leon ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 197 (6) ◽  
pp. 789-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel F. Liem ◽  
Alyson Ashe ◽  
Mu He ◽  
Peter Satir ◽  
Jennifer Moran ◽  
...  

Two intraflagellar transport (IFT) complexes, IFT-A and IFT-B, build and maintain primary cilia and are required for activity of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway. A weak allele of the IFT-A gene, Ift144, caused subtle defects in cilia structure and ectopic activation of the Shh pathway. In contrast, strong loss of IFT-A, caused by either absence of Ift144 or mutations in two IFT-A genes, blocked normal ciliogenesis and decreased Shh signaling. In strong IFT-A mutants, the Shh pathway proteins Gli2, Sufu, and Kif7 localized correctly to cilia tips, suggesting that these pathway components were trafficked by IFT-B. In contrast, the membrane proteins Arl13b, ACIII, and Smo failed to localize to primary cilia in the absence of IFT-A. We propose that the increased Shh activity seen in partial loss-of-function IFT-A mutants may be a result of decreased ciliary ACIII and that the loss of Shh activity in the absence of IFT-A is a result of severe disruptions of cilia structure and membrane protein trafficking.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poppy Datta ◽  
Brandon Hendrickson ◽  
Sarah Brendalen ◽  
Avri Ruffcorn ◽  
Seongjin Seo

ABSTRACTMutations in CEP290 cause various ciliopathies involving retinal degeneration. CEP290 proteins localize to the ciliary transition zone and are thought to act as a gatekeeper that controls ciliary protein trafficking. However, precise roles of CEP290 in photoreceptors and pathomechanisms of retinal degeneration in CEP290-associated ciliopathies are not sufficiently understood. Using Cep290 conditional mutant mice, in which the C-terminal myosin-tail homology domain is disrupted after the connecting cilium is assembled, we show that CEP290, more specifically the myosin-tail homology domain of CEP290, is essential for protein confinement between the inner and the outer segments. Inner segment plasma membrane proteins including STX3, SNAP25, and IMPG2 rapidly accumulate in the outer segment upon disruption of the myosin-tail homology domain. In contrast, localization of endomembrane proteins is not altered. Trafficking and confinement of most outer segment-resident proteins appear to be unaffected or only minimally affected in this mouse model. One notable exception is RHO, which exhibits severe mislocalization to inner segments from the initial stage of degeneration. Similar mislocalization phenotypes were observed in rd16 mice. These results suggest that failure of protein confinement at the connecting cilium and consequent accumulation of inner segment membrane proteins in the outer segment combined with insufficient RHO delivery is part of the disease mechanisms that cause retinal degeneration in CEP290-associated ciliopathies. Our study provides insights into the pathomechanisms of retinal degenerations associated with compromised ciliary gates.


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