In recent years, a photoreceptor system besides rods and cones has been discovered in the mammalian retina, consisting of a sub-population of retinal ganglion cells that express the visual pigment, melanopsin, and are intrinsically-photosensitive (ipRGCs). These ipRGCs comprise distinct subtypes. M1 cells have the strongest melanopsin-immunoreactivity, the highest intrinsic photosensitivity, and the largest saturated light response. M2 and M3 cells have weaker melanopsin-immunoreactivities, lower photosensitivities, and much smaller saturated light responses. M1, M2 and M3 cells also differ in the location of their dendritic arborizations in the inner plexiform layer of the retina. IpRGCs project predominantly to non- image-vision centers in the brain (e.g., most M1 cells), but they also project moderately to image-vision centers (e.g., many M2 cells). Finally, there are supposedly M4 and M5 ipRGCs, but these are not detectable with melanopsin-immunoreactivity, and have extremely low photosensitivities and small light responses. This proposal deals only with M1-M3 ipRGCs, which may have differential functions with respect to both non-image and image vision. In order to fully understand the melanopsin system, it is important to know in detail the ipRGCs'light responses and their underlying mechanisms. We have recently carried out extensive physiological/biophysical studies of M1 cells, and succeeded in resolving their single-photon response, estimating their melanopsin density, and molecularly identifying some of their key phototransduction components. This grant will be a continuation of these successful investigations.
Aim 1 is to study M2 and M3 ipRGCs with respect to their intensity-response relations, response kinetics, single-photon-responses, membrane melanopsin densities, and their light-signaling thresholds, with the overall goal of comparing/contrasting M1, M2 and M3 cells.
Aim 2 is to identify additional molecular components of phototransduction across M1, M2 and M3 cells, including the signaling G protein. We shall also examine the gating mechanism for the TRPC channels underlying the light response.
Aim 3 is to begin to understand the termination mechanisms for the ipRGC's light response, including the significance of potential melanopsin phosphorylation, arrestin binding to melanopsin, and G- protein deactivation.
Aim 4 is to study how M1, M2 and M3 ipRGCs adapt to steady light, and how this adaptation in the receptor current translates into action-potential firing and therefore signaling to the brain. We shall also investigate the involvement of Ca2+ in light adaptation. In summary, ipRGCs are the only known non-rod/non-cone photoreceptors in the mammalian retina. They are important for non-image vision and apparently also for subtle aspects of image vision. Therefore, learning in detail how they function is of fundamental importance to vision in both health and disease.

Public Health Relevance

The studies proposed in this application will enhance our understanding of phototransduction in intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Any new information derived from these studies will be highly relevant to our knowledge about the normal and diseased states in human non-image and image vision.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY014596-12
Application #
8656685
Study Section
(BVS)
Program Officer
Greenwell, Thomas
Project Start
2003-04-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2014-05-01
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
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Wang, Qian; Yue, Wendy Wing Sze; Jiang, Zheng et al. (2017) Synergistic Signaling by Light and Acetylcholine in Mouse Iris Sphincter Muscle. Curr Biol 27:1791-1800.e5
Liao, Hsi-Wen; Ren, Xiaozhi; Peterson, Beth B et al. (2016) Melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells on macaque and human retinas form two morphologically distinct populations. J Comp Neurol 524:2845-72
Buhr, Ethan D; Yue, Wendy W S; Ren, Xiaozhi et al. (2015) Neuropsin (OPN5)-mediated photoentrainment of local circadian oscillators in mammalian retina and cornea. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:13093-8
Do, Michael Tri Hoang; Yau, King-Wai (2013) Adaptation to steady light by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:7470-5
Sakai, Kazumi; Imamoto, Yasushi; Su, Chih-Ying et al. (2012) Photochemical nature of parietopsin. Biochemistry 51:1933-41
Schmidt, Tiffany M; Do, Michael Tri H; Dacey, Dennis et al. (2011) Melanopsin-positive intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells: from form to function. J Neurosci 31:16094-101
Xue, T; Do, M T H; Riccio, A et al. (2011) Melanopsin signalling in mammalian iris and retina. Nature 479:67-73
Müller, Luis Pérez de Sevilla; Do, Michael Tri H; Yau, King-Wai et al. (2010) Tracer coupling of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells to amacrine cells in the mouse retina. J Comp Neurol 518:4813-24
Do, Michael Tri Hoang; Yau, King-Wai (2010) Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Physiol Rev 90:1547-81

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