Thousands of patients lose vision from retinitis pigmentosa and other hereditary retinal degenerations. The proposed research seeks to define biochemical defects in the photoreceptor cells in some animal models for these human diseases (rd mice, Irish setters with rod-cone dysplasia, RCS rats and taurine-deficient cats). Projects include study of patterns of phospholipid and phosphoprotein synthesis from labeled precursors in retina and microdissected photoreceptor cell layer, comparison of centralmacular and peripheral regions with respect to these synthetic processes and research on the effects of illumination on phospholipid, phosphoprotein synthesis and phospholipid hydrolysis. In addition studies will be continued on the taurine-deficient cat to explore the mechanism whereby taurine deficiency affects photoreceptor cell viability.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY001687-13
Application #
3256138
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1979-05-01
Project End
1990-06-30
Budget Start
1988-07-01
Budget End
1990-06-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Ramos, Renata F; Stamer, W Daniel (2008) Effects of cyclic intraocular pressure on conventional outflow facility. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49:275-81
Heth, C A; Schmidt, S Y (1992) Protein phosphorylation in retinal pigment epithelium of Long-Evans and Royal College of Surgeons rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:2839-47
Heth, C A; Schmidt, S Y (1991) Phagocytic challenge induces changes in phosphorylation of retinal pigment epithelium proteins. Curr Eye Res 10:1049-57
Schmidt, S Y; Berson, E L (1990) Opsin phosphorylation in retinas from autopsy eyes with retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 31:1023-8
Adler, A J; Spencer, S A; Heth, C A et al. (1988) Comparison of proteins in the interphotoreceptor matrix of vertebrates. Ophthalmic Res 20:275-85
Hageman, G S; Schmidt, S Y (1987) Taurine-deficient pigmented and albino rats: early retinal abnormalities and differential rates of photoreceptor degeneration. Prog Clin Biol Res 247:497-515
Sandberg, M A; Pawlyk, B S; Crane, W G et al. (1987) Effects of IBMX on the ERG of the isolated perfused cat eye. Vision Res 27:1421-30
Schmidt, S Y; Andley, U P; Heth, C A et al. (1986) Deficiency in light-dependent opsin phosphorylation in Irish setters with rod-cone dysplasia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 27:1551-9
Schmidt, S Y; Blanks, J C; Sandberg, M A (1985) Enhancement of (polyA+)RNA synthesis in light in isolated intact photoreceptor cells of the rat. Exp Eye Res 41:159-70
Schmidt, S Y; Aguirre, G D (1985) Reductions in taurine secondary to photoreceptor loss in Irish setters with rod-cone dysplasia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 26:679-83