Michael D. Varnum - US grants

Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels play a fundamental role in signal transduction in the retina in the retina. In photoreceptor outer segments, they signal the fall in intracellular cGMP concentration that results from absorption of light by rhodopsin. At synapses between cone and horizontal cells, they regulate synaptic transmission and mediate presynaptic feedback by nitric oxide. The overall goal of our research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity CNG channels. CNG channels are composed of four homologous subunits, each containing a single cyclic nucleotide-binding site. Ligand binding to these sites is coupled to conformational changes that lead to opening of the channel pore. Native CNG channels are thought to contain two different subunit types, alpha and beta; the assembly of these divergent subunits creates heteromeric CNG channels with properties optimized for their role in phototransduction. In this proposal, we will ascertain the structural determinants responsible for the assembly of these channels, the precise arrangement of their subunits and the molecular features that modulate their cyclic nucleotide specificity. In addition, we will examine the molecular mechanisms underlying mutations in CNG channel genes that have been linked to rod monochromasy and retinitis pigmentosa. The channels will be studied using electrophysiological recording of exogenously expressed cDNA clones in Xenopus oocytes and in a mammalian cell line, fluorescent microscopy of transfected cells to localize channels fused to green fluorescent protein, and biochemical and genetic protein interaction assays. These experiments will channels essential to signal transduction in the retina, and of the molecular mechanisms that lead to retinal degeneration and color-blindness.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels play a fundamental role in signal transduction in the retina. In photoreceptor outer segments, they signal the fall in intracellular cGMP concentration that results from receptor activation by absorption of light. At synapses between cone and horizontal cells, they regulate synaptic transmission and mediate presynaptic feedback by nitric oxide. The overall goal of our research is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of CNG channels that are important for visual signaling and retinal disease. CNG channels are composed of four homologous subunits, each containing a single cyclic nucleotide-binding site. Ligand binding to these sites is coupled to conformational changes that lead to opening of the channel pore. Native cone photoreceptor CNG channels contain two different subunit types, CNGA3 and CNGB3; the assembly of these divergent subunits creates heteromeric CNG channels with properties optimized for their role in phototransduction. In this proposal, we will discover the structural elements and mechanisms regulating the assembly and trafficking of cone CNG channel subunits. Cone CNG channels are especially sensitive to calcium-feedback regulation, and this feature is critical to the extraordinary range of light adaptation in cones. Here, we will examine the structural determinants and interactions that are important for calcium-dependent regulation of cone CNG channels. In addition, we will elucidate the molecular pathology of mutations in cone CNG channel genes that have been linked previously to complete and incomplete achromatopsia and to progressive cone dystrophy. For these experiments, channels will be studied using electrophysiological recording of exogenously expressed cDNA clones in Xenopus oocytes, fluorescent microscopy to localize channels fused to green fluorescent protein, and biochemical protein interaction assays. These experiments will enhance our understanding of the molecular basis for the unique properties of cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels essential to signal transduction in the retina, and of the molecular mechanisms that lead to color blindness and retinal degeneration.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There is a fundamental gap in knowledge regarding how mutations in the genes encoding cyclic nucleotide- gated (CNG) ion channels can produce achromatopsia, cone dystrophy and macular degeneration in humans. Our long-term objective is to understand the mechanisms controlling the activity of these channels and the pathophysiology of retinal diseases associated with CNG channel mutations. The core objectives of this application are to determine the cellular mechanisms responsible for the effect of cone CNG channel gating or trafficking mutations on cell viability, and the structural features critical for control of channels by phosphoinositides. Recently, we have functionally characterized several disease-associated mutations in the CNGA3 and CNGB3 subunits of cone CNG channels and discovered dramatic effects on channel gating, regulation and/or trafficking, but the cellular consequences of these defects have not been determined. The central hypothesis is that gain-of-function mutations in cone CNG channels lead to photoreceptor death via enhanced or uncontrolled channel activity, disturbance of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and subsequent Ca2+-dependent apoptosis. Conversely, trafficking defects are expected to impair cell viability via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The rationale for the proposed research is that developing an understanding of photoreceptor dysfunction and loss associated with abnormal CNG channel activity will provide insight into possible treatments for several related cone dystrophies. Guided by strong preliminary data, we will address these issues by pursuing two specific aims: (1) identify the connection between disease associated functional changes in cone CNG channels and the cellular mechanisms leading to photoreceptor dysfunction and death;and (2) determine the mechanisms and interactions underlying the ability of CNGB3 subunits to confer sensitivity to channel control by phosphoinositides. These studies will utilize molecular and cellular manipulations, biochemical approaches and/or electrophysiological studies of human CNG channels expressed in cone photoreceptor derived 661W cells or Xenopus oocytes, and as transgenes in zebrafish cone photoreceptors. The proposed research is innovative in that informative in vitro studies will be extended to transgenic expression of mutant CNG channels in vivo. Overall, the proposed work is significant because it is expected to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to retinal degeneration and blindness, and to provide insight into potential approaches for prevention of photoreceptor loss. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed research has relevance to public health, because completion of these studies will provide important insight for preventing and treating vision loss. Our work is focused on understanding vision at the molecular and cellular levels and how mutations in genes coding for proteins critical for vision can lead to dysfunction and retinal degeneration. We study ion channel proteins that are responsible for generating electrical signals ultimately interpreted by the brain as visual information. The major goal for this new project is to elucidate specific mechanisms linking pathogenic changes in channel function or control to cell death.

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure for the immature central nervous system represents a devastating but likely underestimated public health hazard, producing a range of ethanol-induced developmental defects including cognitive impairments having long-term impacts on society. Damage to neurons also includes cells within the retina, producing visual system facets of these fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Critical gaps in knowledge remain regarding the specific mechanisms underlying ethanol- mediated damage to neurons, and their intrinsic vulnerabilities and neuroprotective features, which might be monitored, enhanced and/or exploited in some way to rescue neurons from damage. One proposed cellular target for ethanol damage is disruption in neurons of critical protein homeostasis pathways including the ubiquitin system. Our long-term goal is develop an understanding of the molecules and mechanisms producing photoreceptor neuron dysfunction and degeneration, and to elucidate potential rescue strategies. The overall objective of the current proposal is to determine the contribution of ubiquitin-system impairment to tissue damage by ethanol in these specific neurons, and the feasibility of ubiquitin-system manipulations to rescue neuronal function. The central hypothesis of our proposal is that binge-like ethanol exposure disrupts fundamental protein turnover mechanisms in photoreceptor neurons, undermining normal cell proteostasis. Our hypothesis is based on preliminary data from our lab demonstrating that binge-like exposure to ethanol produces loss of visual function in larval zebrafish, an advantageous model for FASD, with partial rescue of function via pharmacological enhancement of autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system; ubiquitin-system impairment in photoreceptor-derived cells and photoreceptor neurons after ethanol exposure; and previously reported evidence for ubiquitin-system changes in the brain with ethanol. We plan to test our central hypothesis and accomplish the main objective of this proposal by completing the following specific aims: (1) determine the effects on ubiquitin-system manipulations on cone photoreceptor neuron function and proteostasis in the context of damaging exposure to alcohol; and (2) interrogate the changing landscape of ubiquitin-modified proteins in cone photoreceptors following ethanol exposure. These studies will involve molecular manipulations, including cell-specific expression of reporter proteins for ubiquitin- system impairment and CRISPR/Cas9 gene disruption specifically in cone photoreceptors; biochemistry; visual performance assays; ERG recordings; and photoreceptor-specific ubiquitin proteomics. The expected outcomes of these studies are an enhanced understanding of the relationship between early alcohol exposure, neuronal damage, and the ubiquitin system, and a mechanistic foundation for the possible development of therapeutic approaches to mitigate neuronal damage caused by alcohol abuse.