Purpose. Mutations in RHO, PDE6B, and GNAT1 can lead to autosomal dominant congenital stationary night blindness (adCSNB). The study was conducted to identify the genetic defect in a large Swiss family affected with adCSNB and to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of the mutation. methods. Two affected cousins of a large Swiss family were examined clinically by standard methods: funduscopy, EOG, ERG, and dark adaptometry. Twelve family members were screened for mutations in RHO. The ability of mutant rhodopsin to activate transducin constitutively was monitored by measuring the catalytic exchange of bound GDP for radiolabeled [³⁵S]GTPγS in transducin. results. A novel mutation was identified in RHO (c.884C>T, p.Ala295Val) in patients with adCSNB. They had full vision under photopic conditions, showed no fundus abnormalities, revealed EOG results in the normal range, but presented night blindness with an altered scotopic ERG. In the presence of 11-cis retinal, the mutant rhodopsin is inactive, similar to wild-type, responding only when exposed to light. However, in the absence of 11-cis-retinal, unlike wild-type opsin, the mutant opsin constitutively activates transducin. conclusions. The study adds a fourth rhodopsin mutation associated with CSNB. Although the phenotype of autosomal dominant CSNB may vary slightly in patients showing mutations in RHO, PDE6B, or GNAT1, the disease course seems to be stationary with only scotopic vision being affected. The data indicate that the mutant opsin activates transducin constitutively, which is a consistent and common feature of all four CSNB-associated rhodopsin mutations reported to date.

Mutations in the rhodopsin gene cause approximately one-tenth of retinitis pigmentosa cases worldwide, and most result in endoplasmic reticulum retention and apoptosis. Other rhodopsin mutations cause receptor mislocalization, diminished/constitutive activity, or faulty protein-protein interactions. The purpose of this study was to test for mechanisms by which the autosomal dominant rhodopsin mutation Ter349Glu causes an early, rapid retinal degeneration in patients. The mutation adds an additional 51 amino acids to the C terminus of the protein. Folding and ligand interaction of Ter349Glu rhodopsin were tested by ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectrophotometry. The ability of the mutant to initiate phototransduction was tested using a radioactive filter binding assay. Photoreceptor localization was assessed both in vitro and in vivo utilizing fluorescent immunochemistry on transfected cells, transgenic Xenopus laevis, and knock-in mice. Photoreceptor ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Spectrally, Ter349Glu rhodopsin behaves similarly to wild-type rhodopsin, absorbing maximally at 500 nm. The mutant protein also displays in vitro G protein activation similar to that of WT. In cultured cells, mislocalization was observed at high expression levels whereas ciliary localization occurred at low expression levels. Similarly, transgenic X. laevis expressing Ter349Glu rhodopsin exhibited partial mislocalization. Analysis of the Ter349Glu rhodopsin knock-in mouse showed a rapid, early onset degeneration in homozygotes with a loss of proper rod outer segment development and improper disc formation. Together, the data show that both mislocalization and rod outer segment morphogenesis are likely associated with the human phenotype.

Purpose. To determine whether the age-regulating protein klotho was expressed in the retina and determine whether the absence of klotho affected retinal function. Methods. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR of klotho knockout and wild-type mice were used to detect klotho expression in retina. Immunohistochemistry was used to probe for differences in expression of proteins important in synaptic function, retinal structure, and ionic flux. Electroretinography (ERG) was conducted on animals across lifespan to determine whether decreased klotho expression affects retinal function. Results. Klotho mRNA and protein were detected in the wild-type mouse retina, with protein present in all nuclear layers. Over the short lifespan of the knockout mouse (∼8 weeks), no overt photoreceptor cell loss was observed, however, function was progressively impaired. At 3 weeks of age neither protein expression levels (synaptophysin and glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD67]) nor retinal function were distinguishable from wild-type controls. However, by 7 weeks of age expression of synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily member 1 (TRPM1) decreased while GAD67, post synaptic density 95 (PSD95), and wheat germ agglutinin staining, representative of glycoprotein sialic acid residues, were increased relative to wild-type mice. Accompanying these changes, profound functional deficits were observed as both ERG a-wave and b-wave amplitudes compared with wild-type controls. Conclusions. Klotho is expressed in the retina and is important for healthy retinal function. Although the mechanisms for the observed abnormalities are not known, they are consistent with the accelerating aging phenotype seen in other tissues.

Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The chronic disease is characterized by optic nerve degeneration and vision field loss. The reduction of intraocular pressure remains the only proven glaucoma treatment, but it does not prevent further neurodegeneration. There are three major classes of cells in the human optic nerve head (ONH): lamina cribrosa (LC) cells, glial cells, and scleral fibroblasts. These cells provide support for the LC which is essential to maintain healthy retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. All these cells demonstrate responses to glaucomatous conditions through extracellular matrix remodeling. Therefore, investigations into alternative therapies that alter the characteristic remodeling response of the ONH to enhance the survival of RGC axons are prevalent. Understanding major remodeling pathways in the ONH may be key to developing targeted therapies that reduce deleterious remodeling.

Purpose: To identify the role of the BBSome protein Bardet–Biedl syndrome 5 (BBS5) in photoreceptor function, protein trafficking, and structure using a congenital mutant mouse model. Methods: Bbs5^–/– mice (2 and 9 months old) were used to assess retinal function and morphology. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of retinal sections was performed to visualize histology. Electroretinography was used to analyze rod and cone photoreceptor function. Retinal protein localization was visualized using immunofluorescence (IF) within retinal cryosections. TUNEL staining was used to quantify cell death. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine retinal ultrastructure. Results: In the Bbs5^–/– retina, there was a significant loss of nuclei in the outer nuclear layer accompanied by an increase in cell death. Through electroretinography, Bbs5^–/– mice showed complete loss of cone photoreceptor function. IF revealed mislocalization of the cone-specific proteins M- and S-opsins, arrestin-4, CNGA3, and GNAT2, as well as a light-dependent arrestin-1 mislocalization, although perpherin-2 was properly localized. TEM revealed abnormal outer segment disk orientation in Bbs5^–/–. Conclusions: Collectively, these data suggest that, although BBS5 is a core BBSome component expressed in all ciliated cells, its role within the retina mediates specific photoreceptor protein cargo transport. In the absence of BBS5, cone-specific protein mislocalization and a loss of cone photoreceptor function occur.