Apoptosis in the murine rd1 retinal degeneration is predominantly p53-independent.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if p53 mediates apoptosis in photoreceptors of retinal degeneration, rd1, mice.


METHODS
The rd1/rd1 mice were interbred with p53 null mice to generate p53-/- rd1/rd1 and p53+/+ rd1/rd1 mice. Rates of loss and incidence of apoptosis in rod photoreceptors were analyzed at appropriate ages (postnatal days 12, 14 and 16).


RESULTS
The extent and kinetics of photoreceptor cell loss in rd1 mice were nearly indistinguishable in the p53+/+ and p53 null mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Photoreceptor cell apoptosis in the rd1 mouse model occurs by a predominantly p53-independent molecular pathway.
Hopp
R M
RM
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX, USA.
Ransom
N
N
Hilsenbeck
S G
SG
Papermaster
D S
DS
Windle
J J
JJ
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D012160:Retina / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*