Unlike canonical phytochromes, the GAF domain of cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) can bind bilins autonomously and is sufficient for functional photocycles. Despite the astonishing spectral diversity of CBCRs, the GAF1 domain of the three-GAF-domain photoreceptor all2699 from the cyanobacterium Nostoc 7120 is the only CBCR-GAF known that converts from a red-absorbing (Pr) dark state to a far-red-absorbing (Pfr) photoproduct, analogous to the more conservative phytochromes. Here we report a solid-state NMR spectroscopic study of all2699g1 in its Pr state. Conclusive NMR evidence unveils a particular stereochemical heterogeneity at the tetrahedral C31 atom, whereas the crystal structure shows exclusively the R-stereochemistry at this chiral center. Additional NMR experiments were performed on a construct comprising the GAF1 and GAF2 domains of all2699, showing a greater precision in the chromophore–protein interactions in the GAF1-2 construct. A 3D Pr structural model of the all2699g1-2 construct predicts a tongue-like region extending from the GAF2 domain (akin to canonical phytochromes) in the direction of the chromophore, shielding it from the solvent. In addition, this stabilizing element allows exclusively the R-stereochemistry for the chromophore-protein linkage. Site-directed mutagenesis performed on three conserved motifs in the hairpin-like tip confirms the interaction of the tongue region with the GAF1-bound chromophor

<p>Cilj ovog istraživanja je da se ispita uticaj centralne debljine makularne regije (CMT) i prisustva subretinalne tečnosti na vidnu o&scaron;trinu (VA) kod pacijenata obolelih od dijabetesnog makularnog edema, kao i uticaj očuvanosti kontinuiteta spoja spolja&scaron;njeg i unutra&scaron;njeg segmenta fotoreceptora (IS/OS &ndash; kompleks) i spolja&scaron;nje granične membrane (ELM) kao prognostičkih faktora u pobolj&scaron;anju vidne o&scaron;trine nakon primenjene terapije kod pacijenata obolelih od dijabetesnog makularnog edema (DME). Materijal i metode: u ovu retrospektivno prospektivnu kliničku studiju nasumično je uključeno 100 pacijenata koji su podeljeni u dve grupe. Grupu A &ndash; prospektivni deo studije je činilo 50 pacijenata (50 očiju) kod kojih je dijagnostikovan dijabetesni makularni edem i kod kojih je inidikovana primena terapije, laserftotkogaulacije i/ili anti-VEGF terapije (bevacizumab). Grupu B &ndash; retrospektivnu grupu je činilo 50 pacijenata (58 očiju) koji su prethodno lečeni od dijabetesnog makularnog edema primenom laserfotokoagulacije i/ili anti-VEGF terapije (bevacizumab). Nakon kompletnog oftalmolo&scaron;kog pregleda koji se sastojao od određivanja vidne o&scaron;trine (optotipima po Snellenu), biomikroskopije, merenja intraokularnog pritiska i pregleda očnog dna &ndash; fundusa primenom panfundoskopa izvr&scaron;ena je optička koherentna tomografija u svih pacijenata (primenom aparata Stratus&reg; OCT, Carl Zeiss, Meditec i Copercnicus&reg; Optopol). Analiza OCT snimka, je obuhvatila određivanje centralne debljine makule (CMT), prisustva subretinalne tečnosti kao i procenu stanja očuvanosti kontinuiteta spoja spolja&scaron;enjeg i unutra&scaron;njeg segmenta fotoreceptora (IS/OS kompleks) i očuvanost kontinuiteta spolja&scaron;nje granične membrane (ELM). CMT je izračunat primenom softvera OCT aparata i izražen kao srednja vrednost za svih 9 ETDRS polja. Prisutvno subretinalne tečnosti je klasifikovano kao pozitivno ukoliko je identifikovano makar u jednom preseku OCT tomograma .Očuvanost kontinuiteta IS/OS kompleksa i ELM je analizirana u svakom pojedinačnom snimku i podeljena u 3 kategorije. Prva &ndash; ukoliko je očuvano u svim presecima, druga &ndash; ukoliko je očuvano samo u pojedinim presecima i treća &ndash; ukoliko se IS/OS kompleks i ELM nisu mogli identifikovati na nalazu OCT tomograma. Rezultati ukazuju da prisustvo subretinalne tečnosti pre primenjene terapije nema statistički značajnog uticaja na pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine nakon primenjene terapije u pacijenata grupe A (pA=0,915), a statistička značajnost nije potvrđena ni kod pacijenata koji su prethodno tretirani od DME &ndash; grupa B (pB=0,772). Srednja vrednosti CMT i VA u pacijaneta grupe A iznosila je 474&mu;m&plusmn;140,67&mu;m odnosno 0.25&plusmn;0.20. Nakon primenjene terapije srednja vrednost vidnih o&scaron;trina iznosila je 0.41&plusmn;0.25, dok su vrednosti srednje vrednosti CMT iznosile 343.68&mu;m&plusmn;99.03&mu;m. Potvrđeno je statistički značajno pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine nakon primenjene terapije (pVA=0,0001) i statistički značajno smanjenje centralne debljine makule (pCMT=0,0001). Korelacija VA sa vrednostima CMT pre primenjene terapije pokazuje statističku značajnost sa negativnom korelacijom (r=-0,391; p=0,005) dok se nakon primenjene terapije ne uočava statistički značajna korelacija (r=-0,047; p=0,746). Analizom vrednosti CMT pre primenjene terapije sa vrednostima VA nakon terapije se uočava statistički značajna negativna korelacija, odnosno veće vrednosti CMT pre primenjene terapije ograničavaju pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine nakon primenjene terapije (r=-0,393; p=0,005). Evaluacija OCT tomograma, pre primenjene terapije, u pacijenata grupe A utvrđen je u potpunosti očuvan kontinuitet IS/OS kompleksa i ELM u svim presecima u 23 odnosno 27 očiju, u pojedinim presecima u 18 odnosno 16 očiju, i nije mogao biti identifikovan u 9 odnosno 7 očiju. U pacijenata grupe A nakon primenjene terapije uočava se statistički značajno pobolj&scaron;anje vrednosti VA u zavisnosti od očuvanosti kontinuiteta IS/OS kompleksa (F=5,550, p=0,007) i ELM (F=5,428, p=0,008). Univarijantna odnosno multivarjiantna analiza podataka za granične vrednosti vidnih o&scaron;trina od 0,1 i koraka pobolj&scaron;anja od 0,1 ukazuje na statističku značajnost prediktora IS/OS kompleksa (p=0,012 i p=0,032) i ELM (p=0,003 i p=0,018) u pobolj&scaron;anju vrednosti vidnih o&scaron;trina nakon primenjene terapije. Pacijenti sa očuvanim kontinuitetom IS/OS kompelsa u svim presecima imaju 9,5 puta (OR=9,500 ) veću &scaron;ansu za pobolj&scaron;anje VA nakon primenjene terapije u odnosu na pacijente gde kontinuitet IS/OS kompleksa nije uočljiv. Pacijenti sa očuvanim kontinuitetom IS/OS kompleksa u pojedinim presecima imaju 7 puta veću &scaron;ansu (OR=7,000) za pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine nakon terapije u poređenju sa onima kod kojih IS/OS nije uočljiv. Pacijenti sa očuvanim kontinuitetom ELM u svim presecima imaju 34,5 puta (OR=34,500 ) veću &scaron;ansu za pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine u odnosu na pacijente gde ELM nije uočljiv. Pacijenti sa očuvanim kontinuitetom ELM u pojedinim presecima imaju 18 puta veću &scaron;ansu (OR=18,000) za pobolj&scaron;anje VA nakon terapije u odnosu na one kod kojih ELM nije uočljiv. Pored statistički značajnog uticaja očuvanosti kontinuiteta IS/OS kompleksa i ELM na pobolj&scaron;anje vrednosti vidnih o&scaron;trina nakon primenjene terapije, uočava se i pozitvna korelacija između vidnih o&scaron;trina pre i nakon terapije (r=0,869; p=0,0001). U pacijenata grupe B srednja vrednost CMT odnosno VA iznosila je 253,72&mu;m&plusmn;75,27&mu;m odnosno 0,68&plusmn;0,29. Postoji statistički značajna razlika u vrednostima VA u odnosu na očuvanost kontinuiteta IS/OS kompleksa (F=107,913, p=0,0001) i ELM (F=25,619, p=0,0001). Poređenjem vrednosti parametara za obe posmatrane grupe uočava se statistički značajna razlika u vrednostima CMT koje su bile manje u grupi B (t=5,355, p=0,0001) i srednjim vrednostima VA ( t=5,137, p=0,0001) koje su bile veće u grupi B. Analizom očuvanosti kontinuiteta IS/OS kompleksa (&chi;2=0,119, p=0,730) i ELM (&chi;2=2,957, p=0,085) ne uočava se statistički značajna razlika. Zaključak: Odnos vidnih o&scaron;trina sa centralnom debljinom makule prikazuje različite vrednosti vidnih o&scaron;trina za iste vrednosti centralne debljine makule. Značajan uticaj na vidnu o&scaron;trinu pacijenata obolelih od DME ima očuvanost integriteta spolja&scaron;nje granične membrane (ELM) i spoja unutra&scaron;njeg i spolja&scaron;njeg segmenta fotoreceptora (IS/OS kompleks) evaluiranih na osnovu OCT snimka &ndash; tomograma. Očuvanost integriteta ELM i IS/OS kompleksa u svim presecima na OCT tomogramu pre primenjene terapije u pacijenta sa DME se mogu smatrati pozitivnim prognostičkim faktorom u pobolj&scaron;anju vidne o&scaron;trine nakon primenjene terapije. U pacijenata kod kojih je kontinuitet ELM i IS/OS kompleksa očuvan u svim pravcima vrednost CMT pre primenjene terapije nema uticaj na pobolj&scaron;anje vidne funkcije nakon terapije. Integritet IS/OS kompleksa i ELM ima pozitivnu korelaciju sa vidnom o&scaron;trinom bez obzira na vrstu primenjene terapije, anti-VEGF odnosno laserfotokoagulacije. Prisustvo subretinalne tečnosti ne utiče na vidnu o&scaron;trinu pacijenata obolelih od DME. Vrednosti VA pre terapije utiču na pobolj&scaron;anje vidne o&scaron;trine nakon terapije.</p> / <p>The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the central macular thickness (CMT) and the presence of sub retinal fluid on visual acuity (VA) in patients with diabetic macular edema, as well as the impact of preservation and continuity of the photoreceptor inner/outer segment junction (IS / OS - complex ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) as a prognostic factor in improving visual acuity after the applied therapy in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Materials and Methods: this retrospective - prospective randomized clinical study included 100 patients who were divided into two groups. Group A - a prospective part of the study, consisted of 50 patients (50 eyes), with the diagnosis of diabetic macular edema in which laser photocoagulation and / or anti-VEGF therapy (bevacizumab) was indicated. Group B - retrospective group, consisted of 50 patients (58 eyes), who were previously treated for diabetic macular edema either with laser photocoagulation and / or anti-VEGF therapy (bevacizumab). After complete ophthalmologic examination, which consisted of the determination of visual acuity (measured with Snellen charts), biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement and inspection of the fundus, optical coherence tomography was performed in all patients (using the Stratus&reg; OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec and Copercnicus&reg; Optopol). Analysis of OCT image, included the determination of the central macular thickness (CMT), presence of sub retinal fluid, as well as an assessment of the preservation of the continuity of the photoreceptor inner/outer segment junction (IS/OS - complex) and external limiting membrane (ELM). CMT is calculated using software of the OCT apparatus and expressed as the mean value for all 9 ETDRS fields. Presence of sub retinal fluid is classified as positive if it is identified in at least one cross-section of OCT tomogram. Preserved continuity of IS / OS complex and ELM is analyzed in each individual OCT cross-section image and divided into 3 categories. First - if it is preserved in all cross sections images, the second - if it is preserved only in certain sections and the third - if the IS / OS complex and ELM were not able to identify in OCT tomograms. The results indicate that the presence of sub retinal fluid before the applied therapy has no statistically significant effect on improving visual acuity after the applied therapy in patients of group A (pA = 0.915), and statistical significance was not also confirmed in any of the patients who were previously treated by DME - Group B (pB = 0.772). Mean CMT and VA values of patients in group A was 474&mu;m &plusmn; 140,67&mu;m and 0.25 &plusmn; 0.20. After receiving therapy mean visual acuity was 0.41 &plusmn; 0.25, while the value of the mean CMT was 343.68&mu;m&plusmn; 99.03&mu;m. Significant improvement in visual acuity was achieved after the treatment in group A (pVA = 0.0001) together with statistically significant reduction in central macular thickness (pCMT = 0.0001). Correlation of VA with the values of CMT before applied therapy shows statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.391; p = 0.005), while after the applied therapy statistical significance was not observed (r = -0.047; p = 0.746). Analyzing the values of CMT before the applied therapy with the values of VA after the treatment statistically significant negative correlation was observed, higher values of CMT before the applied therapy restrict visual acuity improvement after the applied therapy (r = -0.393; p = 0.005). Analyzing OCT tomograms in the patients in group A, before the applied therapy, fully preserved continuity of IS/OS complex and ELM in all the sections was found in 23 and 27 of the eyes, in certain sections in 18 and 16 of the eyes, and could not be identified in 9 and 7 eyes. Statistically significant improvement in VA, after the applied therapy, in patients in group A is observed, depending on the preservation of continuity of IS/OS complex (F = 5.550, p = 0.007) and ELM (F = 5.428, p = 0.008). Univariate and multivariate analysis with cut off VA value of 0.1 and step improvements of 0.1 points to statistically significant predictor of IS/OS complex (p = 0.012 and p = 0.032) and ELM (p = 0.003 and p = 0.018) in improving the VA after the applied therapy. Patients with preserved continuity of IS/OS complex in all sections are 9.5 times (OR = 9.500) more likely to improve the VA after receiving therapy compared to patients where continuity of IS/OS complex is not noticeable. Patients with preserved continuity of IS/OS complex in the some sections are 7 times more likely (OR = 7.000) for the improvement of visual acuity after treatment compared to those in which the IS/OS is not detectable. Patients with preserved continuity of ELM in all sections are 34.5 times (OR = 34,500) a greater chance to improve visual acuity compared to patients where ELM is not apparent. Patients with preserved continuity of ELM in the some sections are 18 times more likely (OR = 18,000) to improve the VA after treatment compared to those in which the ELM is not apparent. In addition to statistically significant impact of preservation of continuity of IS/OS complex and ELM for VA improvement after the treatment, statistically significant positive correlation between visual acuity before and after treatment (r = 0.869; p = 0.0001) was observed. In Group B patients, the mean CMT and VA value was 253,72&mu;m&plusmn;75,268&mu;m and 0.68 &plusmn; 0.29. There is a statistically significant difference in the VA values compared to the preservation of continuity of IS/OS complex (F = 107.913, p = 0.0001) and ELM (F = 25.619, p = 0.0001). Comparing the values of parameters for both groups, statistically significant difference in CMT values and mean VA was observed. CMT values were lower (t = 5.355, p = 0.0001) while VA values were higher (t = 5.137, p = 0.0001), in group B. The analysis of preservation of continuity of IS/OS complex (&chi;2 = 0.119, p = 0.730) and ELM (&chi;2 = 2.957, p = 0.085) did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The relationship of visual acuity with central macular thickness shows the different levels of visual acuity for the same value of the central macular thickness. A significant impact on VA in patients with DME has maintained integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and the photoreceptors inner/outer segments junction (IS/OS complex) evaluated on the basis of OCT - tomograms. Preservation of the integrity of the ELM and IS/OS complex in all sections of the OCT tomogram before applied therapy in patients with DME can be considered a positive prognostic factor in improving visual acuity after receiving therapy. In patients with preserved continuity of ELM and IS/OS complex in all sections before applied therapy the CMT value has no effect on the improvement of visual function after treatment. Regardless of the type of applied therapy, anti-VEGF and/or laser photocoagulation preserved integrity of IS/OS complex and ELM has a positive correlation with visual acuity. The presence of sub retinal fluid does not affect the visual acuity in patients with DME. The values of VA before treatment influence the improvement of visual acuity after treatment.</p>

Rhodopsin ist der Photorezeptor der Stäbchenzellen in der Retina von Vertebraten und wird als Prototyp für die gesamte Gruppe der GPCRs beforscht. Trifft ein Photon auf das Protein, so wird der über eine Schiffbase kovalent gebundene Chromophor von seiner 11-cis- in die All-trans-Konfiguration isomerisiert und setzt infolgedessen den Aktivierungsprozess in Gang. Dieser mündet in der aktiven Rezeptorkonformation, die das G-Protein Transducin aktivieren kann und dadurch eine Kaskade weiterer Aktivierungsschritten einleitet, die letztlich ein Nervensignal verursachen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Aufklärung der späten Aktivierungsschritte und ihrer Ursache-Wirkungs-Beziehungen. Zu diesem Zweck wurden Blitzlichtphotolyse, Elektronenspinresonanz (EPR) mit Spinlabeling (SDSL), UV/vis-Spektroskopie, FTIR-Spektroskopie und Fluoreszenzspektroskopie angewandt. Kinetische Messungen wurden unter identischen Bedingungen durchgeführt, um die Abfolge der mit den unterschiedlichen Techniken zugänglichen Aktivierungsschritte aufzuklären. Nach der Bildung des absorptionsspektroskopisch definierten Meta-II-Zustands bewegt sich die Helix TM6 in einem späteren Schritt als ganzes nach außen und markiert damit den Übergang von Meta-IIa zu Meta-IIb. Dadurch wird die bis dahin in der Membran verborgene D(E)RY-Region für das Umgebungsmedium zugänglich und nimmt ohne Zeitverzögerung ein Proton auf, wodurch der Meta-IIb*H+-Zustand gebildet wird. Die verfügbaren Daten sprechen dafür, dass das D(E)RY-Motiv bei der Aktivierung des Transducins sowohl die Alpha- als auch die Gamma-Untereinheit desselben bindet. Die Bindung von zu Transducin-Abschnitten analogen Peptiden kann dann erfolgen, wenn die Helix TM6 im nach außen bewegten Zustand ist, und führt zur Abgabe von bis zu zwei Protonen vom aktivierten Rhodopsin. Sowohl das D(E)RY- und das NPxxY(x)5,6F-Motiv als auch die beiden Zustände Meta-IIb und Meta-IIb*H+ könnten relevant für den sequenziellen Transducin-Aktivierungsmechanismus sein. / Rhodopsin is the photoreceptor in the rod cells of the vertebrate retina. It is considered as a prototype of the whole group of GPCRs. Upon absorption of a photon the chromophore, which is covalently bound through a Schiff base, is isomerized from its 11-cis into the all-trans configuration. This initiates the activation process and finally results in the active receptor conformation which is capable of activating the G protein transducin and thereby triggers a cascade of further activation steps which finally cause a nerve signal. The aim of this work was the clarification of the late activation steps and their cause-and-effect chain. For this purpose flash photolysis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) with spin labeling (SDSL), UV/vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were applied. Kinetic measurements were executed under identical conditions in order to elucidate the sequence of activation steps, which are accessible with the different techniques. After formation of the spectroscopically defined Meta-II state helix TM6 moves outward as a rigid body, thereby marking the transition from Meta-IIa to Meta-IIb. Therefore the D(E)RY region, which is until then buried in the membrane, gets accessible to the surrounding solution. It consequently takes up a proton without delay, thus forming the Meta-IIb*H+ state. Available data argue for the D(E)RY motif binding both the Alpha and the Gamma subunit of transducin during activation of the latter. The binding of peptides which are analogous to sections of transducin is possible when helix TM6 is in the outward position. It causes the release of up to two protons from the activated rhodopsin. Both the D(E)RY motif and the NPxxY(x)5,6F motif as well as both the states Meta-IIb and Meta-IIb*H+ are potentially relevant for the sequential transducin activation mechanism.

Sensorische Photorezeptorproteine vermitteln vielfältige Lichtreaktionen in allen Domänen des Lebens. Oftmals dienen verschiedene, durch helikale ‚Linker’ gekoppelte, Module der Lichtperzeption (Sensor) und der Umwandlung in ein biologisches Aktivität (Effektor). Der Zusammenbau chimärer Photorezeptoren aus unterschiedlichen Sensoren und Effektoren ermöglicht die präzise und minimalinvasive Regulation zellulärer Signalwege mit Hilfe von Licht, zu therapeutischen oder analytischen Zwecken. Eine große Herausforderung stellt dabei die korrekte Fusion der Linker beider Module dar, die Kommunikation zwischen Sensor und Effektor erlaubt. Die vorliegende Arbeit nimmt sich diesem Problem an und untersucht Strategien zum effizienten Bau chimärer Photorezeptorproteine. Ein rationaler, auf Sequenz- und Strukturhomologie der parentalen Proteine basierender Ansatz wurde maßgeblich durch unzureichendes Verständnis der funktionellen Mechanismen dieser modularen Proteinen erschwert. Die neuentwickelte und PATCHY-Methode umgeht dieses Hindernis, indem sie eine Bibliothek von Chimären aller Kombinationen der parentalen Linker generiert, welche anschließend mittels bakterieller Testsysteme nach funktionalen Varianten durchsucht wird. Angewendet auf die Fusion eines LOV-Blaulichtsensors und eines Histidinkinase-Effektors fanden sich sowohl lichtaktivierte, als auch zu lichtreprimierte Chimären, deren Linkerlängen jeweils einer Heptadenperiodizität folgten. Dass weniger als 5% aller Linkerkombinationen zu lichtregulierten Chimären führten, deutet zudem auf eine feine Abstimmung von Linkersequenz und Proteinfunktion hin. Die systematische Analyse von Fusionsvarianten mit PATCHY dient daher nicht nur der Entwicklung chimärer Rezeptorproteine zur Manipulation zellulärer Prozesse. Sondern sie zeigt darüber hinaus, komplementär zum rationalen Ansatz, molekulare Faktoren auf, die zur Modulkompatibilität und Signaltransduktion modularer Rezeptorproteine beitragen. / Sensory photoreceptor proteins mediate diverse responses to ambient light in all domains of life. Often distinct modules coupled by helical linkers enable light perception (sensor) and biological output function (effector). Rewiring different sensor and effector modules into photoreceptor chimeras allows using light to control target cellular processes with high spatiotemporal accuracy and minimal invasiveness for therapeutic or analytical purposes. Thereby, a major design challenge is fusing the linkers from both modules in a way that preserves signal transduction within the chimera. The present study tackles this issue and explores strategies for engineering photoreceptor chimeras. An initial rational-design approach guided by sequence and structure homology of the parent proteins was greatly hampered by insufficient knowledge of signaling mechanisms within these modular proteins. A novel and easy-to-use brute-force strategy, termed PATCHY (primer-aided truncation for the creation of hybrid enzymes) circumvents this problem by generating a complete library of fusion variants between target modules harboring all combinations of the parent linkers. Screening fusion libraries of a LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) blue-light sensor coupled to a histidine-kinase effector yielded light-induced and light-repressed chimeras, each group complying with a heptad periodicity of linker lengths. With less than 5% of all possible variants exhibiting light regulation, a delicate fine-tuning of linker sequence and protein function became evident. Thus, systematic testing of fusion variants with PATCHY not only facilitates the development of photoreceptor chimeras for manipulating cellular processes. Complementary to rational design, it also reveals molecular cues determining module compatibility and signal transduction in modular signal receptors.

Photoreceptors are of prime importance for humans, since vision is one of the most important senses for us. In our daily life, where nearly every action is dependent on visual input, an impairment or a loss of eyesight leads to severe disability. With a non-syndromic prevalence of 1:4000, retinitis pigmentosa, a collective term for a group of inherited retinal eye diseases, represents, together with age-related macula degeneration, one of the main causes for visual impairment and blindness in industrialized countries. The dominant reason for vision loss is, in both cases, the irreversible loss of photoreceptor cells located in the outer nuclear layer of the retina. To date, no effective treatment is available to preserve or regain visual function in affected patients. Recent promising strategies for new retinal therapeutical approaches focus on one hand on the development of gene therapies, where an introduced wild-type allele compensates a mutated gene, and on the other hand on cell therapies, where stem or photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) are transplanted to the sub-retinal space to replace degenerated host photoreceptors. The current study is subdivided into three parts, addressing the issue of non-reversible photoreceptor cell loss due to retinal degenerative diseases by investigating in the first two parts new qualitative as well as quantitative approaches in the field of retinal cell therapy, while in the third part an ocular gene therapeutical approach targeting prominin-1, a gene involved in retinal degenerative disorders, was investigated. Briefly, this study shows in the first part, a significant enhancement of the integration rate of PPCs in wild-type host retinas, achieved by pre-transplantational sorting, using the recently discovered PPC - specific cell surface marker CD73. This sets another step further towards retinal cell therapy by increasing the effectiveness of such treatment. Next to this quantitative approach, it is also shown that the quality of transplanted photoreceptor precursor cells is comparable to native photoreceptors by demonstrating, that an indispensable prerequisite of every photoreceptor cell, the outer segment, is developed by transplanted PPCs after proper integration. Importantly, transplanted PPCs develop native outer segments even when not integrated in the host tissue but located in the sub-retinal space, as it is predominantly observed after transplantation into severely degenerated retinas. These results substantiate the feasibility of cell therapeutical treatment of severely degenerated retinas. At the end of this part, it is demonstrated, that outer segments are not formed properly by PPCs transplanted to the vitreal side of the retina. This suggests an influence of signaling molecules, presumably secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells into the sub-retinal space, on transplanted PPC final differentiation. Since intensive research is done to differentiate stem cells into PPCs for cell therapeutical transplantation, these results may contribute significantly to this research by demonstrating, that factors secreted by the retinal pigment epithelium might play a crucial role for successful stem cell to PPC differentiation. The last part of my work investigates a gene therapeutical approach to cure inherited retinal degenerative diseases. One gene, where reported mutations cause retinal degeneration in humans is prominin-1, a protein expressed at cell membrane evaginations in a variety of cell types. Interestingly, the prominin-1 knock-out mouse is characterized exclusively by disorganized photoreceptor outer segment formation and progressive retinal degeneration. Successful delivery of a wild-type form of mouse prominin-1 using adeno-associated viral vector transfer, into the photoreceptors of prominin-1 - deficient mice is demonstrated. The divergent results show on one hand a rescue of the thickness of the photoreceptor outer nuclear layer on a short time period (3 weeks post treatment), and on the other hand long-term data (8-10 weeks post treatment) suggests histologically as well as functionally a negative effect on treated photoreceptors. This might be due to effects caused by an over-expression of prominin-1 and will be investigated in future studies. In conclusion, distinct and important investigations were made which contribute significant puzzle pieces to new cell- as well as gene therapeutical approaches for the treatment of retinal degenerative disorders.

Vision impairment and blindness are in industrialized countries primarily caused by the degeneration of the retina, the light sensing tissue inside the eye. The degeneration, occurring in diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or retinitis pigmentosa (RP), can be caused by environmental factors as well as genetic defects and thus shows diverse pathologies. In all conditions, the light detecting photoreceptors (rods and/or cones) are dying caused by either direct photoreceptor damage or as a secondary effect following degeneration of supporting cells. Although promising treatment approaches are currently under investigation, up to date it is not possible to cure these diseases. Amongst these therapeutic strategies, pre-clinical studies evaluating the replacement of degenerated cells by transplantation of new photoreceptors demonstrated promising results. First studies conducted the specific enrichment and transplantation of primary photoreceptors derived from postnatal mice and their sufficient integration and differentiation into mature photoreceptors in wild-type as well as degenerated mouse retinae. Recent experiments additionally proved the recovery of some dim-light vision after transplantation in mice lacking night sight. The in vitro differentiation of whole eye cups containing photoreceptors, out of human or mouse ES or iPS cells, peaked in the transplantation of ES-derived photoreceptors into wild-type as well as degenerated mice and the integration and maturation of these cells. These observations are encouraging, but prior to a save implementation of this strategy into a clinical routine, several further hurdles need to be challenged. Collection of photoreceptors out of whole retinal tissues prior to transplantation was shown to be an important step to reach high integration rates. Additionally, transplantation of photoreceptors derived from stem cells comprises the risk of tumor formation after transplantation and thus also requires depletion of inadvertent cells. Therefore, we established the enrichment of photoreceptors using the cell surface marker dependent method magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). For identification of suitable target-specific surface markers, we characterized young transplantable mouse photoreceptors using microarray analysis and screened their transcriptome. Amongst others, ecto-5´nucleotidase (Nt5e, termed CD73) was identified being a rod photoreceptor specific cell surface protein. Thus, we enriched young photoreceptors with CD73-dependent MACS with sufficient purity and transplanted these cells into the subretinal space of wild-type mice. In contrast to unsorted retinal cells, enriched photoreceptors integrated in significantly higher number into the host retina, proving that MACS is a suitable alternative for specific photoreceptor enrichment. Testing other proteins, identified as photoreceptor specific, for MACS suitability and the translation of this approach to photoreceptors, derived from mouse as well as human iPS or ES cells, should be the focus of consecutive investigations. The integration of grafted cells into the retina is a complex process dependent on a variety of influencing factors. Transplantation experiments in aging wild-type mice and a rod-depleted mouse model, containing a retina composed of cone and cone-like photoreceptors, indicated that the activation of Müller glia cells facilitates integration of transplanted photoreceptors. Besides that, reduced outer limiting membrane (OLM) integrity, increased subretinal graft distribution or reduced retinal cell density are further suggested as potential cell engraftment enhancers. These factors might open up important possibilities of host retina manipulation to increase cell integration rates. Although retinal transplantation experiments were in addition to mice also performed using pigs or rats as hosts, the transplantation of enriched single photoreceptors, following the protocols successfully established in mice, has not been performed in other species. Nevertheless, transferring this technique is important and would allow better predictions for future application in human patients. Therefore, we transferred our protocol, using CD73 based MACS, to the rat and successfully enriched rat photoreceptors with sufficient purity. We subsequently transplanted these cells into the subretinal space of rats as well as mice and observed limited integration capacity of grafted cells. Only few transplanted rat photoreceptors were localized in the rat retina, lacking proper photoreceptor morphology. Especially regarding a perspective clinical application in humans, these data are remarkable. They imply the question, whether low integration in rat represents a general problem and might thus also be relevant for treatment in humans, or whether the rat retina forms just an exception. Thus, further detailed analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the integration process of transplanted photoreceptors represent an essential prerequisite for the development of a safe and efficient therapy, aiming to treat retinal degenerative diseases characterized by photoreceptor loss. / Degenerationserkrankungen der Netzhaut (Retina) sind in Industrieländern die Hauptursache für verminderte Sehfähigkeit und Blindheit. Sowohl Umweltfaktoren als auch vererbte Mutationen können Defekte wie altersbedingte Makuladegeneration (AMD) oder Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) auslösen und führen zu einem sehr variablen Krankheitsbild. Eine Gemeinsamkeit aller Formen ist das Absterben der lichtdetektierenden Fotorezeptoren (Stäbchen und/oder Zapfen). Dieses kann entweder durch direkte Schädigung, oder als Sekundäreffekt nach Degeneration der unterstützenden Zellen erfolgen. Obwohl im Moment vielversprechende Behandlungsansätze untersucht werden, ist es zurzeit nicht möglich, retinale Degenerationserkrankungen dieser Art zu heilen. Ein erfolgversprechender Ansatz könnte jedoch der Ersatz der degenerierten Zellen durch transplantierte Fotorezeptoren sein. Erste Studien demonstrierten die spezifische Anreicherung von primären Fotorezeptoren aus der Netzhaut neugeborener Mäuse und deren subretinale Transplantation in Wildtyp-Mäuse und Mausmodelle mit retinaler Degeneration. Die transplantierten Zellen integrierten in die Empfängernetzhaut und entwickelten sich in ausgereifte Fotorezeptoren und konnten unter anderem bei nachtblinden Mäusen die Sehfähigkeit bei Dunkelheit verbessern. Die Differenzierung von humanen oder murinen ES- und iPS-Zellen in vitro in vollständige Retinae und die Transplantation daraus gewonnener Fotorezeptoren in Mäuse, bilden vorläufig den Höhepunkt dieser Entwicklung. Obwohl die Fortschritte der jüngsten Vergangenheit beeindruckend sind, sollten vor der sicheren und effektiven Anwendung einer retinalen Zellersatztherapie als therapeutische Maßnahme beim Menschen noch einige wissenschaftliche Fragestellungen beantwortet werden. Studien zeigen, dass Zellpopulationen, die direkt aus der Spendernetzhaut entnommen und transplantiert wurden, auf Grund ihrer Heterogenität in geringeren Zahlen in die Empfängerretina einwandern als angereicherte Fotorezeptoren. Zusätzlich besteht bei unsortierten Zellen, die aus Stammzellpopulationen gewonnen wurden, das Risiko einer Tumorbildung. Daher haben wir die magnetisch-aktivierte Zellsortierung (MACS) zur Anreicherung junger Fotorezeptoren etabliert. Die dabei benötigten, für Fotorezeptoren spezifischen, Oberflächenproteine wurden mit Hilfe von Microarray-Analysen des Transkriptoms junger Stäbchen von Mäusen identifiziert. Dabei wurde unter anderem die 5\'-Nukleotidase (Nt5e, CD73) entdeckt, die uns die erfolgreiche Anreicherung junger Mausfotorezeptoren mit Hilfe von CD73-vermitteltem MACS erlaubte. Die Transplantation dieser angereicherten Zellpopulation in die Netzhaut von Empfängertieren resultierte in einer signifikant erhöhten Integrationsrate im Vergleich zu nicht-angereicherten retinalen Zellen. Die Überprüfung der Nutzbarkeit weiterer identifizierter Oberflächenproteine zur Zellanreicherung bzw. die Übertragung der etablierten Protokolle zur Zellsortierung und Transplantation auf Fotorezeptoren aus ES- und iPS-Zellkulturen, sollten im Fokus nachfolgender Experimente stehen. Die Integration transplantierter Zellen in die Empfängernetzhaut ist ein komplexer Prozess und von unterschiedlichen Einflussfaktoren abhängig. Durch Transplantationsexperimente in alternden Wildtyp-Mäusen und einem Mausmodell, dessen Fotorezeptorschicht keine Stäbchen und stattdessen nur Zapfen und zapfenähnlichen Fotorezeptoren aufweist, konnte gezeigt werden, dass vor allem die Aktivierung von Müllerzellen die Integrationsrate der Fotorezeptoren erhöht. Neben dieser sogenannten Gliose werden weitere Faktoren, wie die reduzierte Stabilität der äußeren Grenzmembran, die flächenmäßig größere Verteilung der transplantierten Zellen im subretinalen Raum oder die reduzierte Dichte der Zellen in der äußeren Körnerschicht, als potentielle integrationsfördernde Komponenten in Betracht gezogen. Diese bilden interessante Schwerpunkte für weitere Forschungen, um eine ausreichende Zellintegration durch Manipulation der Empfängernetzhaut, auch in der klinischen Anwendung, zu erreichen. Obwohl Transplantationsexperimente zusätzlich zur Maus auch in anderen Empfängerspezies, wie Ratten und Schweinen, durchgeführt wurden, liegen bis jetzt keine Studien vor, die die in der Maus erfolgreich etablierten Protokolle der Zellanreicherung und Transplantation von Fotorezeptor-Suspensionen in diesen Spezies reproduzierte. Der Transfer dieser Technik und eine Generalisierung der Anwendbarkeit eines Fotorezeptorersatzes durch Transplantation in verschiedenen Säugetierarten geben jedoch wichtige Hinweise für eine mögliche Translation dieser Technologie für klinische Anwendungen. Deshalb haben wir unser bereits an der Maus getestetes Protokoll auf die Ratte übertragen und erfolgreich Fotorezeptoren der Ratte mit Hilfe von CD73-vermitteltem MACS angereichert. Nach deren Transplantation in die Netzhaut von Ratten und Mäusen zeigten die Rattenfotorezeptoren aber eine stark verminderte Integrationsfähigkeit und das Fehlen einer reifen Fotorezeptormorphologie. Speziell in Hinsicht auf eine zukünftige klinische Anwendung sind diese Ergebnisse relevant, da sie die Frage aufwerfen, ob die mangelnde Integration in der Ratte ein generelles Problem darstellt und daher auch beim Menschen zu erwarten ist, oder ob sie nur eine Ausnahme im Rattenmodell bildet. Aus diesem Grund bildet die weitere Erforschung der zellulären und molekularen Mechanismen der Integration transplantierter Fotorezeptoren eine wichtige Grundlage für die Entwicklung einer sicheren und effizienten Therapie mit dem Ziel, degenerative Netzhauterkrankungen zu heilen.

High temporal resolution of vision relies on the rapid kinetics of the photoresponse in the light-sensing photoreceptor neurons. It is well known that the rapid recovery of photoreceptor membrane potential at the end of light stimulation depends on timely deactivation of the visual transduction cascade within photoreceptors. Whether any extrinsic factor contributes to the termination speed of the photoresponse is unknown. In this thesis, using Drosophilaas a model system, I show that a feedback circuit mediated by both neurons and glia in the visual neuropile lamina is required for rapid repolarization of the photoreceptor at the end of the light response. In the first part of my thesis work, I provide evidence that lamina epithelial glia, the major glia in the visual neuropile, is involved in a retrograde regulation that is critical for rapid repolarization of the photoreceptor at the end of light stimulation. I identified the gene affected in a slrp (slow receptor potential) mutant that is defective in photoreceptor response termination, and found it needs to be expressed in both neurons and epithelial glia to rescue the mutant phenotype. The gene product SLRP, an ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) protein, is localized in a special structure of epithelial glia, gnarl, and is required for gnarl formation. This glial function of SLRP is independent of the metalloprotease activity. In the second part of my thesis work, I demonstrate that glutamatergic transmission from lamina intrinsic interneurons, the amacrine cells, to the epithelial glia is required for the rapid repolarization of photoreceptors at the end of the light response. From an RNAi-based screen, I identified a vesicular glutamate transporter (vGluT) in amacrine cells as an indispensable factor for the rapid repolarization of the photoreceptor, suggesting a critical role of glutamatergic transmission from amacrine cells in this retrograde regulation. Further, I found that loss of a glutamate-gated chloride channel GluCl phenocopies vGluT downregulation. Cell specific knockdown indicates that GluCl functions in both neurons and glia. In the lamina, a FLAG-tagged GluCl colocalized with the SLRP protein in the gnarl-like structures, and this localization pattern of GluCl depends on SLRP, suggesting that lamina epithelial glia receive glutamatergic input from amacrine cells through GluCl at the site of gnarl. Since the amacrine cell itself is innervated by photoreceptors, these observations suggest that a photoreceptor — amacrine cell — epithelial glia — photoreceptor feedback loop facilitates rapid repolarization of photoreceptors at the end of the light response. In summary, my thesis research has revealed a feedback regulation mechanism that helps to achieve rapid kinetics of photoreceptor response. This visual regulation contributes to the temporal resolution of the visual system, and may be important for vision during movement and for motion detection. In addition, this work may also advance our understanding of glial function, and change our concept about the effect of glutamatergic transmission.

Photoreceptors are of prime importance for humans, since vision is one of the most important senses for us. In our daily life, where nearly every action is dependent on visual input, an impairment or a loss of eyesight leads to severe disability. With a non-syndromic prevalence of 1:4000, retinitis pigmentosa, a collective term for a group of inherited retinal eye diseases, represents, together with age-related macula degeneration, one of the main causes for visual impairment and blindness in industrialized countries. The dominant reason for vision loss is, in both cases, the irreversible loss of photoreceptor cells located in the outer nuclear layer of the retina. To date, no effective treatment is available to preserve or regain visual function in affected patients. Recent promising strategies for new retinal therapeutical approaches focus on one hand on the development of gene therapies, where an introduced wild-type allele compensates a mutated gene, and on the other hand on cell therapies, where stem or photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) are transplanted to the sub-retinal space to replace degenerated host photoreceptors. The current study is subdivided into three parts, addressing the issue of non-reversible photoreceptor cell loss due to retinal degenerative diseases by investigating in the first two parts new qualitative as well as quantitative approaches in the field of retinal cell therapy, while in the third part an ocular gene therapeutical approach targeting prominin-1, a gene involved in retinal degenerative disorders, was investigated. Briefly, this study shows in the first part, a significant enhancement of the integration rate of PPCs in wild-type host retinas, achieved by pre-transplantational sorting, using the recently discovered PPC - specific cell surface marker CD73. This sets another step further towards retinal cell therapy by increasing the effectiveness of such treatment. Next to this quantitative approach, it is also shown that the quality of transplanted photoreceptor precursor cells is comparable to native photoreceptors by demonstrating, that an indispensable prerequisite of every photoreceptor cell, the outer segment, is developed by transplanted PPCs after proper integration. Importantly, transplanted PPCs develop native outer segments even when not integrated in the host tissue but located in the sub-retinal space, as it is predominantly observed after transplantation into severely degenerated retinas. These results substantiate the feasibility of cell therapeutical treatment of severely degenerated retinas. At the end of this part, it is demonstrated, that outer segments are not formed properly by PPCs transplanted to the vitreal side of the retina. This suggests an influence of signaling molecules, presumably secreted by retinal pigment epithelial cells into the sub-retinal space, on transplanted PPC final differentiation. Since intensive research is done to differentiate stem cells into PPCs for cell therapeutical transplantation, these results may contribute significantly to this research by demonstrating, that factors secreted by the retinal pigment epithelium might play a crucial role for successful stem cell to PPC differentiation. The last part of my work investigates a gene therapeutical approach to cure inherited retinal degenerative diseases. One gene, where reported mutations cause retinal degeneration in humans is prominin-1, a protein expressed at cell membrane evaginations in a variety of cell types. Interestingly, the prominin-1 knock-out mouse is characterized exclusively by disorganized photoreceptor outer segment formation and progressive retinal degeneration. Successful delivery of a wild-type form of mouse prominin-1 using adeno-associated viral vector transfer, into the photoreceptors of prominin-1 - deficient mice is demonstrated. The divergent results show on one hand a rescue of the thickness of the photoreceptor outer nuclear layer on a short time period (3 weeks post treatment), and on the other hand long-term data (8-10 weeks post treatment) suggests histologically as well as functionally a negative effect on treated photoreceptors. This might be due to effects caused by an over-expression of prominin-1 and will be investigated in future studies. In conclusion, distinct and important investigations were made which contribute significant puzzle pieces to new cell- as well as gene therapeutical approaches for the treatment of retinal degenerative disorders.

High visual sensitivity is a common but important characteristic of animal eyes. It is especially critical for night vision. In animal eyes, photoreceptors are the first to receive the incoming rays of light and they convert the light signals to electrical signals before passing the information to interneurons in the eye and finally to the brain. To function in dim light conditions, photoreceptors have developed high sensitivities to light. It is reported that both mammalian rod photoreceptors and Drosophilaphotoreceptors can detect single photons. The high sensitivities of photoreceptors largely depend on a high content of rhodopsin, a light-stimulated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), in light sensory organelles, outer segments in mammals and rhabdomeres in Drosophila. Two shared characteristics, the tightly packed photoreceptive membrane and the high concentration of rhodopsin in the membrane, work together to enable the photoreceptors to achieve the high content of rhodopsin in photosensory organelles in both mammals and Drosophila. In this thesis, I have used the Drosophilaeye as a model system to study the molecular mechanisms required for the maintenance of these two characteristics. In the second chapter, I present a new molecular mechanism of preventing Gq-mediated rhabdomeral degeneration. A new gene named tadr (for torn and diminished rhabdomeres), when mutated, leads to visual sensitivity reduction and photoreceptor degeneration. Degeneration in the tadr mutant is characterized by shrunken and disrupted rhabdomeres. The TADR protein interacts in vitro with the major light receptor Rh1 rhodopsin, and genetic reduction of the Rh1 level suppresses the tadr-induced degeneration, suggesting the degeneration is Rh1-dependent. Nonetheless, removal of phospholipase C (PLC), a key enzyme in phototransduction, and that of Arr2 fail to inhibit rhabdomeral degeneration in the tadr mutant background. Biochemical analyses reveal that, in the tadr mutant, the Gq protein of Rh1 is defective in dissociation from the membrane during light stimulation. Importantly, reduction of Gq level by introducing a hypomorphic allele of Gαq gene greatly inhibits the tadr degeneration phenotype. These results may suggest that loss of a potential TADR-Rh1 interaction leads to an abnormality in the Gqsignaling, which in turn triggers rhabdomeral degeneration independent of the PLC phototransduction cascade. We propose that TADR-like proteins may also protect photoreceptors from degeneration in mammals including humans. In the third chapter, I present a Drosophila CUB- and LDLa-domain transmembrane protein CULD that counteracts the visual arrestin Arr1-mediated endocytosis to retain rhodopsin in rhabdomeral membrane. CULD is mostly localized in rhabdomeres, but is also detected in scarce rhodopsin endocytic vesicles that contain Arr1. An intracellular region of CULD interacts with Arr1 in vitro. In both culdmutant and knockdown flies, a large amount of rhodopsin is mislocalized in the cell body of photoreceptors through lightdependent, Arr1-mediated endocytosis, leading to reduction of photoreceptor sensitivity. Expressing a wild-type CULD protein in photoreceptors, but not a mutant variant lacking the Arr1-interacting site, rescues both the rhodopsin mislocalization and the low sensitivity phenotypes. Once rhodopsin has been internalized in adult mutant flies, it is reversed only by expression of CULD but not by blocking endocytosis, suggesting that CULD promotes recycling of endocytosed rhodopsin to the rhabdomere. Our results demonstrate an important role of CULD in the maintenance of membrane rhodopsin density and photoreceptor sensitivity. We propose that a common cellular function of CUB- and LDLa-domain proteins, in both mammals and invertebrates, is to concentrate receptors including GPCRs in particular regions of cell membrane. In summary, the work addressed in this thesis has identified new molecular mechavii nisms underlying the maintenance of visual sensitivity in Drosophila, either through preventing Gq-mediated rhabdomeral degeneration or through antagonizing arrestin-mediated rhodopsin endocytosis. This work has advanced our understanding of visual biology and the general regulatory mechanisms of GPCR signaling, and may provide valuable clues to pathologic studies of human retinal degeneration disorders.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Photoreceptors are a class of sensory neuronal cells that are deleteriously affected in many disorders and injuries of the visual system. Significant injury or loss of these cells often results in a partial or complete loss of vision. While previous studies have determined many necessary components of the gene regulatory network governing the establishment, development, and maintenance of these cells, the necessary and sufficient profile and timecourse of gene expression and/or silencing has yet to be elucidated. Arduous protocols do exist to derive photoreceptors in vitro utilizing pluripotent stem cells, but only recently have been able to yield cells that are disease- and/or patient-specific. The discovery that mammalian somatic cells can be directly reprogrammed to another terminally-differentiated cell phenotype has inspired an explosion of research demonstrating the successful genetic reprogramming of one cell type to another, a process which is typically both more timely and efficient than those used to derive the same cells from pluripotent stem cell sources. Therefore, the emphasis of this study was to establish a novel system to be used to determine a minimal transcriptional network capable of directly reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to rod photoreceptors. The tools, assays, and experimental design chosen and established herein were designed and characterized to facilitate this determination, and preliminary data demonstrated the utility of this approach for accomplishing this aim.