Photoreceptor expression of the Usher syndrome type 1 protein protocadherin 15 (USH1F) and its interaction with the scaffold protein harmonin (USH1C).
OBJECTIVE
The human Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of deaf-blindness. Usher type I (USH1), the most severe form, is characterized by profound congenital deafness, constant vestibular dysfunction and prepubertal onset of retinitis pigmentosa. Five corresponding genes of the seven USH1 genes have been cloned over the years. Recent studies indicated that three USH1 proteins, namely myosin VIIa (USH1B), SANS (USH1G), and cadherin 23 (USH1D) interact with the USH1C gene product harmonin. In these protein-protein complexes harmonin acts as the scaffold protein binding these USH1 molecules via its PDZ domains. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether or not the fifth identified USH1 protein protocadherin 15 (Pcdh15) also binds to harmonin and where these putative protein complexes might be localized in mammalian rod and cone photoreceptor cells.


METHODS
In vitro binding assays (GST pull-down, yeast two-hybrid assay) were applied. Antibodies against bacterial expressed USH1 proteins were generated. Affinity purified antibodies were used in immunoblot analyses of brain fractions and isolated retinas, in immunofluorescence studies, and in immunoelectron microscopic studies of rodent retinas.


RESULTS
We showed that Pcdh15 (USH1F) interacted with harmonin PDZ2. Immunocytochemistry revealed that Pcdh15 is expressed in photoreceptor cells of the mammalian retina, where it is colocalized with harmonin, myosin VIIa, and cadherin 23 at the synaptic terminal. Colocalization of Pcdh15 with harmonin was found at the base of the photoreceptor outer segment, where newly synthesized disk membranes are present.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that harmonin-Pcdh15 interactions probably play a role in disk morphogenesis. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a complex composed of all USH1 molecules may assemble at the photoreceptor synapse. This USH protein complex can contribute to the cortical cytoskeletal matrices of the pre- and postsynaptic regions, which are thought to play a fundamental role in the structural and functional organization of the synaptic junction. Defects in any of the USH1-complex partners may result in photoreceptor dysfunction causing retinitis pigmentosa, the clinical phenotype in the retina of USH1 patients.
Reiners
Jan
J
Department of Cell and Matrix Biology, Institute of Zoology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Märker
Tina
T
Jürgens
Karin
K
Reidel
Boris
B
Wolfrum
Uwe
U
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000070585:Cadherin Related Proteins; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004398:Dyneins / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D000081412:Myosin VIIa; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
C418976:CDHR15 protein, mouse; D000070585:Cadherin Related Proteins; D015820:Cadherins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C499091:Cdh23 protein, mouse; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C000631455:MYO7A protein, human; C000631456:Myo7a protein, mouse; C000631457:Myo7a protein, rat; D000081412:Myosin VIIa; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C477451:Sans protein, mouse; C492262:Ush1c protein, mouse; D009218:Myosins; D004398:Dyneins