RdgB2 is required for dim-light input into intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells

TitleRdgB2 is required for dim-light input into intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsWalker MT, Rupp A, Elsaesser R, Güler AD, Sheng W, Weng S, Berson DM, Hattar S, Montell C
JournalMol Biol Cell
Volume26
Pagination3671-8
Date Published2015 Oct 15
ISSN1939-4586
Abstract

A subset of retinal ganglion cells is intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs) and contributes directly to the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment under bright-light conditions. ipRGCs are also indirectly activated by light through cellular circuits initiated in rods and cones. A mammalian homologue (RdgB2) of a phosphoinositide transfer/exchange protein that functions in Drosophila phototransduction is expressed in the retinal ganglion cell layer. This raised the possibility that RdgB2 might function in the intrinsic light response in ipRGCs, which depends on a cascade reminiscent of Drosophila phototransduction. Here we found that under high light intensities, RdgB2(-/-) mutant mice showed normal pupillary light responses and circadian photoentrainment. Consistent with this behavioral phenotype, the intrinsic light responses of ipRGCs in RdgB2(-/-) were indistinguishable from wild-type. In contrast, under low-light conditions, RdgB2(-/-) mutants displayed defects in both circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light response. The RdgB2 protein was not expressed in ipRGCs but was in GABAergic amacrine cells, which provided inhibitory feedback onto bipolar cells. We propose that RdgB2 is required in a cellular circuit that transduces light input from rods to bipolar cells that are coupled to GABAergic amacrine cells and ultimately to ipRGCs, thereby enabling ipRGCs to respond to dim light.

DOI10.1091/mbc.E15-05-0288
Alternate JournalMol. Biol. Cell
PubMed ID26269578
PubMed Central IDPMC4603936
Grant ListR01 EY008117 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
R01 EY010852 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States