Sep 2011 TRPM1, a causative molecule for night blindness in retinal ON bipolar cells

mouse_of_month_201109

TRPM1, a causative molecule for night blindness
in retinal ON bipolar cells

129S6-Trpm1tm1Tfur RBRC05138

mn1109_0101

Left panel shows the ERGs of WT and TRPM1-KO mice in which the ON-bipolar pathway is totally impaired, leading to impaired b-waves in the TRPM1-KO mouse in the dark-adapted condition. Right panel shows TRPM1 immunostained signals (green) in the outer plexiform layer (bipolar cell layer) of the adult mouse retina. ONL: photoreceptor layer, OPL: outer plexiform layer, INL: inner nuclear layer, IPL: inner plexiform layer, GCL: ganglion cell layer.

 

The transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 1 (Trpm1) was originally identified as a highly expressed gene in mouse metastatic melanoma cells. Trpm1 is alternatively spliced as a shortened N-terminus form (Trmp1s), known as melastatin, and a long form (Trmp1l). Recent studies indicated important roles for Trmp1l in the function of retinal bipolar cells (BCs); however, the distinct physiological and biological functions of Trpm1, especially Trpm1l, remain unclear. To address this issue, Trpm1, -knockout mice (129Sv/Ev) were generated and analyzed to clarify the role of TRMP1-L in retinal photoresponses [1]. Immunohistochemical and electrophysiological analyses of retinal tissues clearly demonstrated that TRPM1-L was a component of the transduction cation channel in the mGluR6 cascade of retinal ON BCs. These knockout mouse studies led to the investigation of human clinical cases and the successful identification of 5 different TRPM1 mutations in congenital stationary night blindness patients [2]. Human TRPM1 is also reported to be one of autoantigens targeted by autoantibodies in some cancer or melanoma patients exhibiting ON-BC dysfunction [3]. The Trpm1 -knockout mice are useful to study retinal photo-signal transduction and human congenital night blindness.

 

Depositor : Dr. Takahisa Furukawa, Osaka Bioscience Institute
References : [1] Koike C, Obara T, Uriu Y, Numata T, Sanuki R, Miyata K, Koyasu T, Ueno S, Funabiki K, Tani A, Ueda H, Kondo M, Mori Y, Tachibana M, Furukawa T. TRPM1 is a component of the retinal ON bipolar cell transduction channel in the mGluR6 cascade. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA;107(1):332-7, 2010.
[2] Nakamura M, Sanuki R, Yasuma T R, Onishi A, Nishiguchi K M, Koike C, Kadowaki M, Kondo M, Miyake Y, Furukawa T. TRPM1 mutations are associated with the complete form of congenital stationary night blindness. Molecular Vision;16:425-437, 2010.
[3] Kondo M, Sanuki R, Ueno S, Nishizawa Y, Hashimoto N, Ohguro H, Yamamoto S, Machida S, Terasaki H, Adamus G, Furukawa T. Identification of autoantibodies against TRPM1 in patients with paraneoplastic retinopathy associated with ON bipolar cell dysfunction. PLoS ONE;6:e19911, 2011.


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