The p110α isoform of phosphoinositide 3-kinase is essential for cone photoreceptor survival.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylates the 3'OH of the inositol ring of phosphoinositides (PIs). They are responsible for coordinating a diverse range of cellular functions. Class IA PI3K is a heterodimeric protein composed of a regulatory p85 and a catalytic p110 subunit. In this study, we conditionally deleted the p110α-subunit of PI3K in cone photoreceptor cells using the Cre-loxP system. Cone photoreceptors allow for color vision in bright light (daylight vision). Cone-specific deletion of p110α resulted in cone degeneration. Our studies suggest that PI3K signaling is essential for cone photoreceptor functions.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: raju-rajala@ouhsc.edu.
Raju V S
RV
Rajala
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Michelle
M
Ranjo-Bishop
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Yuhong
Y
Wang
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Ammaji
A
Rajala
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Robert E
RE
Anderson
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D058534:Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
C509622:1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110 subunit, mouse; D058534:Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
Cone photoreceptors; Cre-loxP system; Phosphoinositide 3-kinases; Phosphoinositides; Retina; Vision