Our long-term objective is to understand the molecular genetics of hereditary human retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our approach is to use Drosophila as a model system. Human RP and AMD are highly complex diseases with multiple subtypes, each with a distinct genetic and biochemical basis. This complexity, along with the limited availability of suitable tissues from RP and AMD patients and the broad base of knowledge of Drosophila genetics, combine to make Drosophila a powerful animal model for studying inherited retinal degeneration disorders. Our research is focused on those events during protein biosynthesis in the secretory pathway that ensure correct protein translocation, glycosylation, folding, oligomeric assembly, quality control, transport and targeting. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contains a wide variety of molecular chaperones, folding sensors and enzymes, as well as escort proteins that facilitate the early stages of protein biosynthesis. Upon exiting the ER, newly folded proteins must be transported to the Golgi, where they undergo a new set of modifications that proceed sequentially from the cis- to the medial-, and finally to the trans- compartments of the Golgi. Transport of proteins between compartments of the secretory pathway occurs via the budding and fusion of small vesicles from donor compartments to target compartments. Vesicular transport is facilitated by a vast array of cytosolic and membrane bound factors, such as GTP-binding proteins (Rabs), coat components, motor proteins, tethering molecules, and finally SNAREs (soluble N- ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor). In this application we are specifically focused on two major aspects of protein biosynthesis and transport: (1) The SNARE proteins and their role in vesicular transport of rhodopsin and other constituents of phototransduction, and (2) the family of mannosidases and their key roles in trimming carbohydrates in the ER and Golgi during rhodopsin biosynthesis. Given that the SNARE proteins and mannosidase enzymes investigated here are highly conserved in humans, our findings in Drosophila should be readily applied to human processes and diseases. Accordingly, our discoveries in Drosophila will be used to screen a highly defined set of human AMD and RP pedigrees for similar defects. We anticipate that this work will greatly impact our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of protein trafficking and also provide important insights into retinal diseases such as RP and AMD.

Public Health Relevance

The overall objective of our research program is to use Drosophila as a model for studying hereditary human retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), two highly complex diseases with multiple subtypes, each with a distinct genetic and biochemical basis. This complexity, combined with the broad base of knowledge of Drosophila genetics, make Drosophila a powerful animal model for studying inherited retinal degeneration disorders. We are specifically focused on those events in the secretory pathway that ensure the proper folding, modification, oligomeric assembly, quality control, transport and targeting of proteins in the retina.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01EY008768-19A1
Application #
8423617
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (BVS)
Program Officer
Neuhold, Lisa
Project Start
1990-08-01
Project End
2016-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2013-11-30
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$376,250
Indirect Cost
$126,250
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Colley, Nansi Jo; Nilsson, Dan-Eric (2016) Photoreception in Phytoplankton. Integr Comp Biol 56:764-775
Rosenbaum, Erica E; Vasiljevic, Eva; Brehm, Kimberley S et al. (2014) Mutations in four glycosyl hydrolases reveal a highly coordinated pathway for rhodopsin biosynthesis and N-glycan trimming in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Genet 10:e1004349
Rosenbaum, Erica E; Vasiljevic, Eva; Cleland, Spencer C et al. (2014) The Gos28 SNARE protein mediates intra-Golgi transport of rhodopsin and is required for photoreceptor survival. J Biol Chem 289:32392-409
Colley, Nansi Jo; Dowling, John E (2013) Spotlight on the evolution of vision. Vis Neurosci 30:1-3
Colley, Nansi Jo (2012) Retinal degeneration in the fly. Adv Exp Med Biol 723:407-14
Rosenbaum, Erica E; Brehm, Kimberley S; Vasiljevic, Eva et al. (2012) Drosophila GPI-mannosyltransferase 2 is required for GPI anchor attachment and surface expression of chaoptin. Vis Neurosci 29:143-56
Weiss, Shirley; Kohn, Elkana; Dadon, Daniela et al. (2012) Compartmentalization and Ca2+ buffering are essential for prevention of light-induced retinal degeneration. J Neurosci 32:14696-708
Rosenbaum, Erica E; Brehm, Kimberley S; Vasiljevic, Eva et al. (2011) XPORT-dependent transport of TRP and rhodopsin. Neuron 72:602-15
Kraus, Allison; Groenendyk, Jody; Bedard, Karen et al. (2010) Calnexin deficiency leads to dysmyelination. J Biol Chem 285:18928-38
Tong, Deyan; Rozas, Natalia S; Oakley, Todd H et al. (2009) Evidence for light perception in a bioluminescent organ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:9836-41