Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) incorporates a large number of inherited retinal disorders characterized by photoreceptor degeneration. RP is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, affecting over 1 million individuals worldwide. Mutations in a gene called TULP1 underlie an early-onset and severe form of autosomal recessive RP. Tulp1 is a protein exclusive to photoreceptor cells, and although the function of Tulp1 remains elusive, there is evidence from the murine model lacking Tulp1 that it plays a role in intracellular protein movement in multiple compartments of the photoreceptor. In tulp1-/- mice, prior to photoreceptor degeneration, rod and cone opsins are mislocalized, and rhodopsin-bearing extracellular vesicles accumulate around the inner segment (IS), indicating that Tulp1 is necessary for the transport of proteins to the outer segment (OS). These mice also have a synaptic malformation that precedes photoreceptor degeneration and most likely interferes with the proper development of post-receptoral neurons. The absence of Tulp1 results in abnormalities that affect structure and function in multiple retinal sites, as well as causing distinct abnormalities in separate photoreceptor compartments. This suggests that it either performs a general role throughout the photoreceptor or participates in multiple distinct pathways. Based on our published work and preliminary data, the central hypothesis of this proposal is that Tulp1 is a component of the molecular machinery involved in the vesicular movement of proteins in two photoreceptor cell compartments. Our long-term objectives are to understand the physiological function of TULP1 and the pathogenic mechanism responsible for retinal degeneration associated with TULP1 mutations. Experiments designed in Aim 1 will identify Tulp1 interacting partners by proteomic analysis, comparing IS-specific to synaptic-specific interactomes.
In Aim 2, molecular dissections of the IS and synapse lacking Tulp1 and expressing mutant forms of TULP1 that cause RP will be conducted to probe for structural or spatial disturbances. Attention will focus on proteins that bind Dynamin-1, a neuronal-specific protein that is essential for vesicular trafficking. Elaborating on the Tulp1/Dynamin-1/Actin interaction, which we believe composes the core of Tulp1 functional complexes, will unlock the mechanism of action of Tulp1.
Aim 3 will analyze vesicle cycling in the tulp1-/- photoreceptor synapse. This will be accomplished using styryl dye photoconversion followed by electron microscopy. At the successful completion of this work, we will position Tulp1 in a functional context and define its mechanism of action. Our results will provide insight into the functional organization of photoreceptor protein transport pathways, as well as insight into the perturbation of retinal function associated with TULP1 mutations. Finally, this project has potential for significantly impacting an important aspect of photoreceptor biology relevant to human retinal disease.
The goal of this research project is to identify the function of Tulp1, a photoreceptor-specific protein proposed to be involved in protein movement. Mutations in TULP1 cause an early-onset and severe form of retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited form of blindness. Results will provide insight into the pathological mechanisms causing photoreceptor degeneration and significantly impact an important aspect of photoreceptor biology relevant to human retinal disease.
| Lobo, Glenn P; Au, Adrian; Kiser, Philip D et al. (2016) Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in TULP1 Induced Retinal Degeneration. PLoS One 11:e0151806 |
| Lobo, Glenn P; Ebke, Lindsey A; Au, Adrian et al. (2016) TULP1 Missense Mutations Induces the Endoplasmic Reticulum Unfolded Protein Response Stress Complex (ER-UPR). Adv Exp Med Biol 854:223-30 |
| Ebke, Lindsey A; Pauer, Gayle J T; Willard, Belinda et al. (2016) A Novel Approach to Identify Photoreceptor Compartment-Specific Tulp1 Binding Partners. Adv Exp Med Biol 854:605-11 |
| Grossman, Gregory H; Ebke, Lindsey A; Beight, Craig D et al. (2013) Protein partners of dynamin-1 in the retina. Vis Neurosci 30:129-39 |
| Grossman, Gregory H; Pauer, Gayle J T; Hoppe, George et al. (2012) Isolating photoreceptor compartment-specific protein complexes for subsequent proteomic analysis. Adv Exp Med Biol 723:701-7 |
| Hagstrom, Stephanie A; Watson, Rao F; Pauer, Gayle J T et al. (2012) Tulp1 is involved in specific photoreceptor protein transport pathways. Adv Exp Med Biol 723:783-9 |
| Grossman, Gregory H; Watson, Rao F; Pauer, Gayle J T et al. (2011) Immunocytochemical evidence of Tulp1-dependent outer segment protein transport pathways in photoreceptor cells. Exp Eye Res 93:658-68 |
| Pauer, Gayle J T; Sturgill, Gwen M; Peachey, Neal S et al. (2010) Protective effect of paraoxonase 1 gene variant Gln192Arg in age-related macular degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol 149:513-22 |
| Sturgill, Gwen M; Bala, Elisa; Yaniglos, Stacia S et al. (2010) Mutation screen of beta-crystallin genes in 274 patients with age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmic Genet 31:129-34 |
| Gu, Jiayin; Pauer, Gayle J T; Yue, Xiuzhen et al. (2010) Proteomic and genomic biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration. Adv Exp Med Biol 664:411-7 |
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