Photoreceptor Ciliopathies: RP2, KIF17 and NPHP5

University Of Utah, Salt Lake City UT

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Abstract

A challenge to photoreceptor cell integrity concerns the post-biosynthetic delivery of proteins from the inner, to the outer, segments over a lifetime. This application will identify: i) the roles of RP2 and ARL3 in protein transport; ii) differences in rod and cone intraflagellar transport mediated by homodimeric kinesin-II (KIF17); and iii) functions of nephrocystin-5 in photoreceptor trafficking and cell polarity. Aim 1A will address the physiological functions of RP2, ARL3 and the RP2/ARL3/UNC119 complex. We will generate an RP2(G2A) knockin mouse model. The RP2(G2A) knockin construct will incorporate loxP and Frt sites in intron 1 and upstream of ATG to permit, additionally, a germline knockout of RP2 which is expected to mimic XLRP in male mice. In aim 1B, we propose to generate a photoreceptor-specific ARL3 knockout mouse to study the role of ARL3 in rods and cones. Mutant knockin RP2, knockout RP2 and knockout ARL3 mice will elucidate the roles of RP2 and ARL3 in photoreceptor cell biology, and provide important tools for future gene therapy. Aim 2 will focus on molecular motors which move rod phototransduction proteins to the OS by intraflagellar transport (IFT). The role of homodimeric kinesin-II (KIF17) in polarized IMCD3 cells and mouse photoreceptors will be compared and scrutinized. We will generate Kif17flox/flox mice and delete KIF17 specifcally in rod photoreceptors by mating with iCre-75 mice. Based on highly conserved IFT pathways in C. elegans, we postulate partial redundancy of KIF3 and KIF17 in rods. Therefore, we will delete both KIF3 and KIF17 in rods by generating a rod-specific KIF3/KIF17 double knockout and study the consequences. Aim 3 will examine the NPHP5 gene that encodes nephrocystin-5, of unknown function. NPHP5 null alleles in human cause nephronophthisis, a medullary cystic kidney disease, and retinitis pigmentosa (Senior-L¿ken syndrome). We will generate a rod-specific NPHP5 knockout, a mouse model that will elucidate mechanisms causative for the disease phenotype. Further, as nephrocystins are known to be involved in controlling cell polarity, we will use in-vitro renal epithelial cell cultures to probe mechanisms controlling cell polarization. Finally, AAV vectors will be designed to rescue the NPHP5-RP knockout mouse.