title: A retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR)-deficient mouse model for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP3).
abstract: The X-linked RP3 locus codes for retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR), a protein of unknown function with sequence homology to the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ran GTPase. We created an RPGR-deficient murine model by gene knockout. In the mutant mice, cone photoreceptors exhibit ectopic localization of cone opsins in the cell body and synapses and rod photoreceptors have a reduced level of rhodopsin. Subsequently, both cone and rod photoreceptors degenerate. RPGR was found normally localized to the connecting cilia of rod and cone photoreceptors. These data point to a role for RPGR in maintaining the polarized protein distribution across the connecting cilium by facilitating directional transport or restricting redistribution. The function of RPGR is essential for the long-term maintenance of photoreceptor viability.
authors.affiliation: Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Retinal Degenerations, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Pawlyk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sandberg
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Berson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000235:genetics*; D014960:X Chromosome
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D005136:Eye Proteins; C099929:RPGR protein, human