Altered light responses of single rod photoreceptors in transgenic pigs expressing P347L or P347S rhodopsin.

PURPOSE: Numerous mutations of rhodopsin lead to rod cell death and ultimately to complete blindness, yet little is known about the alterations in the physiology of the light sensors containing the aberrant protein, the rod photoreceptors. METHODS: Suction pipettes were used to record the light responses from single rod photoreceptors isolated from the retinas of transgenic pigs of various ages and at progressive stages of retinal degeneration. RESULTS: We have observed changes in the photoresponse of transgenic porcine rods containing both wild type and mutant rhodospin. Our findings are consistent with the idea that substitutions at position proline 347 of rhodopsin interfere with the inactivation of R*. In addition the level of photoreceptor degeneration is positively correlated with an acceleration and desensitization of the photoresponse to dim flashes. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the phototransduction cascade, even when initiated by wild type rhodopsin molecules is altered in a way that is progressive with the level of retinal degeneration. A model consistent with our observations introduces the idea of a binding site for the carboxy terminus of rhodopsin on rhodopsin kinase.

Duke Scholars

Author Fulton Wong Ophthalmology