Article
Biology
Matthias Poege, Julia Mahamid, Sanae S. Imanishi, Juergen M. Plitzko, Krzysztof Palczewski, Wolfgang Baumeister
Summary: Studies have identified two molecular connectors/spacers in the membrane structure of rod outer segment (ROS) that likely contribute to the precise stacking of ROS disks. Additionally, a continuous supramolecular assembly composed of peripherin-2 (PRPH2) and rod outer segment membrane protein 1 (ROM1) oligomers enforces the extreme radius of curvature at the disk rims. Together, these molecular assemblies constitute the structural basis of the highly specialized ROS functional architecture.
Article
Neurosciences
Molly T. Thorson, Stephanie E. Wei, Craig Johnson, Christopher J. Gabriel, Vadim Y. Arshavsky, Jillian N. Pearring
Summary: Photoreceptors are sensory neurons that capture light within their outer segment, a narrow cylindrical organelle stacked with disc-shaped membranes housing the visual pigment. Photoreceptors are the most abundant neurons in the retina and are tightly packed to maximize the capture of incoming light.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jillian N. Pearring, Jorge Martinez-Marquez, Jason R. Willer, Eric C. Lieu, Raquel Y. Salinas, Vadim Y. Arshavsky
Summary: The study found that the targeted delivery of the rod cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel to the outer segment uses the conventional secretory pathway and requires preassembly of its constituent alpha 1 and beta 1 subunits. The N-terminal glutamic acid-rich protein domain of CNG beta 1 encodes specific information targeting the channel to rod outer segments and connects the channel to photoreceptor disk rims through an interaction with peripherin-2. These findings reveal fine functional specializations within the CNG channel's structural domains and suggest that its sequestration to the outer segment plasma membrane requires an interaction with peripherin-2.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dianlei Guo, Jiali Ru, Lijing Xie, Mingjuan Wu, Yingchun Su, Shiyong Zhu, Shujuan Xu, Bin Zou, Yanhong Wei, Xialin Liu, Yizhi Liu, Chunqiao Liu
Summary: The study discovered that Tmem138 plays a crucial role in the functional organization of photoreceptor connecting cilium (CC), which is essential for rhodopsin localization and outer segment (OS) biogenesis. Inactivation of Tmem138 leads to abnormal development of OS and degeneration of photoreceptor cells.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nemanja Milicevic, Ouafa Ait-Hmyed Hakkari, Udita Bagchi, Cristina Sandu, Aldo Jongejan, Perry D. Moerland, Jacoline B. ten Brink, David Hicks, Arthur A. Bergen, Marie-Paule Felder-Schmittbuhl
Summary: The study showed that Per1 and Per2 are essential clock components for driving photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis, and this process may be transcriptionally driven by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). No differentially expressed genes were found in photoreceptors, while several genes were differentially expressed in the RPE, both in wild type and Per1, Per2 double mutant mice. STRING analysis identified a group of interacting genes potentially involved in driving photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis in the RPE.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William J. Spencer, Nicholas F. Schneider, Tylor R. Lewis, Carson M. Castillo, Nikolai P. Skiba, Vadim Y. Arshavsky
Summary: The photoreceptor outer segment is a cilium filled with flat-tened disc membranes for light capture. The addition of new discs at the base of outer segments is driven by Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization initiated by the pentameric WAVE complex. Knockout of WASF3, a subunit of the WAVE complex, disrupts actin polymerization and leads to disorganized membrane lamellae instead of a proper outer segment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew L. Markhard, Jason G. McCoy, Tsz-Leung To, Vamsi K. Mootha
Summary: Oxygen is crucial for supporting life, but methods for manipulating its supply with high spatiotemporal resolution in cells and organisms are lacking. Researchers have introduced a genetic system called SNORCL, which allows for on-demand generation of molecular oxygen inside living cells. This technology has immediate research applications and has the potential for widespread use in research, biotechnology, and medicine.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Bruce A. Berkowitz, Robert H. Podolsky, Karen Lins Childers, Tom Burgoyne, Giulia De Rossi, Haohua Qian, Robin Roberts, Ryan Katz, Rida Waseem, Cole Goodman
Summary: This study investigates the potential changes in mitochondria distribution within the rod inner segment ellipsoid of mice under different energy needs. The results suggest that the activity of rod mitochondria in mice can be evaluated noninvasively based on the shape of the inner segment ellipsoid.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoming Fang, Andrew A. Peden, Fredericus J. M. van Eeden, Jarema J. Malicki
Summary: Opsin plays a crucial role in vertebrate photoreceptors by being transported to the outer segment for its function. Studies have shown that there are differences in the transport mechanisms of opsins in different species, which may be related to changes in amino acid sequences.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ailis L. Moran, John D. Fehilly, Daniel Floss Jones, Ross Collery, Breandan N. Kennedy
Summary: Outer segment phagocytosis (OSP) is a regulated process in which photoreceptor outer segment tips are consumed by adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. However, there is still limited knowledge about the key regulators of OSP in vivo. Understanding the regulation of OSP is crucial for the treatment of ocular diseases related to OSP.
Article
Ophthalmology
Ramesh Venkatesh, Shama Sharief, Rubble Mangla, Aditi Gupta, Naresh Kumar Yadav, Jay Chhablani
Summary: This study investigated the commotio retinae involving the macula using multicolour imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The results showed that the outer retinal layers were affected by the commotio retinae, while the macula and other retinal layers were spared. Multicolour imaging showed white areas corresponding to the commotio retinae. The sparing of the macula correlated with the sparing of the photoreceptor layer.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Brittany J. Carr, Paloma Stanar, Orson L. Moritz
Summary: Mutations in prom1 and cdhr1 genes are associated with inherited retinal degenerative disorders. Prom1-null mutations result in severely dysmorphic photoreceptors while cdhr1-null photoreceptors do not appear grossly abnormal. Double-null mutants do not differ significantly from prom1-null mutants.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hortense Moreau, Isabelle Gaillard, Nadine Paris
Summary: Using genetically encoded tandems of fluorescent proteins, this study demonstrates the complex environment and pH heterogeneity within pavement cells. The newly designed acid-sensing tandems cover the pH range of 3-8 and show immediate responses to pH changes, providing insights into physiological conditions related to cell elongation and H+-ATPase activity.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne Rehkamp, Dirk Tanzler, Christian Tuting, Panagiotis L. Kastritis, Claudio Iacobucci, Christian H. Ihling, Marc Kipping, Karl-Wilhelm Koch, Andrea Sinz
Summary: The study conducted a 3D-structural analysis of ROS-GC1 from bovine retina using cross-linking/mass spectrometry and computational modeling, revealing its active full-length structure and proposing a novel intracellular domain organization. The data supports a dimeric architecture of native ROS-GC1 from bovine retina and the integrated approach serves as a blueprint for conducting 3D-structural studies of membrane proteins in their native environment.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chenyang Dang, Meihua Chen, Lin Huang, Mingming Chu, Yiming Li, Lujia Liu, Xuebo Cao
Summary: This article introduces the concept of a multichannel photothermal rod (MCPR) as a solar interfacial material, capable of efficiently processing sewage and producing freshwater. With features such as antigravity water transport and omnidirectional solar energy collection, the MCPR can achieve a production rate of 18.8 kg m(-2) h(-1) under 1 sun.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)