PUBLICATION

IFT27 regulates the long-term maintenance of photoreceptor outer segments in zebrafish

Authors
Han, S., Hu, Y., Jia, D., Lv, Y., Liu, M., Wang, D., Chao, J., Xia, X., Wang, Q., Liu, P., Cai, Y., Ren, X.
ID
ZDB-PUB-240205-3
Date
2024
Source
Gene   905: 148237 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Han, Shanshan, Liu, Mugen
Keywords
Cilia, Hedgehog signaling pathway, IFT27, Retinitis Pigmentosa, TELAN, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Cilia/genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins/genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa*/genetics
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa*/pathology
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
  • Zebrafish*/metabolism
PubMed
38310983 Full text @ Gene
Abstract
Approximately a quarter of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is caused by mutations in transport-related genes in cilia. IFT27 (Intraflagellar Transport 27), a core component of the ciliary intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, has been implicated as a significant pathogenic gene in RP. The pathogenic mechanisms and subsequent pathology related to IFT27 mutations in RP are largely obscure. Here, we utilized TALEN technology to create an ift27 knockout (ift27-/-) zebrafish model. Electroretinography (ERG) detection showed impaired vision in this model. Histopathological examinations disclosed that ift27 mutations cause progressive degeneration of photoreceptors in zebrafish, and this degeneration was late-onset. Immunofluorescence labeling of outer segments showed that rods degenerated before cones, aligning with the conventional characterization of RP. In cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells, we found that IFT27 was involved in maintaining ciliary morphology. Furthermore, decreased IFT27 expression resulted in the inhibition of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, including decreased expression of key factors in the Hh pathway and abnormal localization of the ciliary mediator Gli2. In summary, we generated an ift27-/- zebrafish line with retinal degeneration which mimicked the symptoms of RP patients, highlighting IFT27's integral role in the long-term maintenance of cilia via the Hh signaling pathway. This work may furnish new insights into the treatment or delay of RP caused by IFT27 mutations.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping