Searching the Resource Information Network
Are you sure you want to leave this community? Leaving the community will revoke any permissions you have been granted in this community.
Rod and cone photoreceptors subserve vision under dim and bright light conditions, respectively. The differences in their function are thought to stem from their different gene expression patterns, morphologies, and synaptic connectivities. In this study, we have examined the photoreceptor cells of the retinal degeneration 7(rd7) mutant mouse, a model for the human enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). This mutant carries a spontaneous deletion in the mouse ortholog of NR2E3, an orphan nuclear receptor transcription factor mutated in ESCS. Employing microarray and in situ hybridization analysis we have found that the rd7 retina contains a modestly increased number of S-opsin-expressing cells that ultrastructurally appear to be normal cones. Strikingly, the majority of the photoreceptors in the rd7 retina represent a morphologically hybrid cell type that expresses both rod- and cone-specific genes. In addition, in situ hybridization screening of genes shown to be up-regulated in the rd7 mutant retina by microarray identified ten new cone-specific or cone-enriched genes with a wide range of biochemical functions, including two genes specifically involved in glucose/glycogen metabolism. We suggest that the abnormal electroretinograms, slow retinal degeneration, and retinal dysmorphology seen in humans with ESCS may, in part, be attributable to the aberrant function of a hybrid photoreceptor cell type similar to that identified in this study. The functional diversity of the novel cone-specific genes identified here indicates molecular differences between rods and cones extending far beyond those previously discovered.
Pubmed ID: 16110338
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
Public image processing and analysis program for Macintosh.
View all literature mentionsThe Brain Molecular Anatomy Project is a trans-NIH project aimed at understanding gene expression and function in the nervous system. BMAP has two major scientific goals: # Gene discovery: to catalog of all the genes expressed in the nervous system, under both normal and abnormal conditions. # Gene expression analysis: to monitor gene expression patterns in the nervous system as a function of cell type, anatomical location, developmental stage, and physiological state, and thus gain insight into gene function. In pursuit of these goals, BMAP has launched several initiatives to provide resources and funding opportunities for the scientific community. These include several Requests for Applications and Requests for Proposals, descriptions of which can be found in this Web site. BMAP is also in the process of establishing physical and electronic resources for the community, including repositories of cDNA clones for nervous system genes, and databases of gene expression information for the nervous system. Most of the BMAP initiatives so far have focused on the mouse as a model species because of the ease of experimental and genetic manipulation of this organism, and because many models of human disease are available in the mouse. However, research in humans, other mammalian species, non-mammalian vertebrates, and invertebrates is also being funded through BMAP. For the convenience of interested investigators, we have established this Web site as a central information resource, focusing on major NIH-sponsored funding opportunities, initiatives, genomic resources available to the research community, courses and scientific meetings related to BMAP initiatives, and selected reports and publications. When appropriate, we will also post initiatives not directly sponsored by BMAP, but which are deemed relevant to its goals. Posting decisions are made by the Trans-NIH BMAP Committee
View all literature mentionsTHIS RESOURCE IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE, documented on July 17, 2013. Commercial software vendor.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentions