RPGR-containing protein complexes in syndromic and non-syndromic retinal degeneration due to ciliary dysfunction

J Genet. 2009 Dec;88(4):399-407. doi: 10.1007/s12041-009-0061-7.

Abstract

Dysfunction of primary cilia due to mutations in cilia-centrosomal proteins is associated with pleiotropic disorders. The primary (or sensory) cilium of photoreceptors mediates polarized trafficking of proteins for efficient phototransduction. Retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) is a cilia-centrosomal protein mutated in >70% of X-linked RP cases and 10%-20% of simplex RP males. Accumulating evidence indicates that RPGR may facilitate the orchestration of multiple ciliary protein complexes. Disruption of these complexes due to mutations in component proteins is an underlying cause of associated photoreceptor degeneration. Here, we highlight the recent developments in understanding the mechanism of cilia-dependent photoreceptor degeneration due to mutations in RPGR and PGR-interacting proteins in severe genetic diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), Joubert syndrome, and Senior-Loken syndrome, and explore the physiological relevance of photoreceptor ciliary protein complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cilia / genetics*
  • Cilia / physiology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Eye Proteins / genetics*
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Retinal Degeneration / genetics*
  • Retinal Degeneration / pathology
  • Retinal Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RPGR protein, human
  • RPGRIP1 protein, human