AbstractMutations in RPE65 or lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) disrupt 11-cis-retinal synthesis and cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). In Lrat−/− mouse model, mislocalized medium (M)-wavelength sensitive opsin was degraded whereas mislocalized short (S)-wavelength sensitive opsin accumulated before the onset of cone degeneration. The mechanism for the foveal medium (M)/long (L)-wavelength-sensitive cone degeneration in LCA is unknown. By crossing Lrat−/− mice with a proteasome reporter mouse line, we showed that M-opsin enriched dorsal cones in Lrat−/− mice exhibit proteasome stress due to the degradation of large amounts of M-opsin. Deletion of M-opsin relieves the proteasome stress and completely prevents “M cone” degeneration in Lrat−/−Opn1sw−/− mice (a pure “M cone” LCA model, Opn1sw−/− encoding S-opsin) for at least 12 months. Our results suggest that M-opsin degradation associated proteasome stress plays a major role in “M cone” degeneration in Lrat−/− model. This finding may represent a general mechanism for “M cone” degeneration for multiple forms of cone degeneration due to M-opsin mislocalization and degradation. Our results have important implications for the current gene therapy strategy for LCA that emphasizes the need for a combinatorial therapy to both improve vision and slow photoreceptor degeneration.
Long-Term Preservation of Cones and Improvement in Visual Function Following Gene Therapy in a Mouse Model of Leber Congenital Amaurosis Caused by Guanylate Cyclase-1 Deficiency