Drosophila Models of Retinal Degeneration

Joseph O'Tousa     Joseph E. O'Tousa Professor University of Washington Postdoctoral, Purdue University

e-mail | labpage

My research program examines the biochemical mechanisms and genetic causes underlying degeneration of photoreceptors, the sensory cells responsible for light reception. There are numerous inherited disorders described in humans and other vertebrates that result in the degeneration of photoreceptor cells. Our work concentrates on the Drosophila genes involved in photoreceptor maintenance. We are focused on two approaches in recent work. First, we are using genetic approaches to identify the molecular components and pathway responsible for rhodopsin trafficking in the cell. We have shown that normal rhodopsin transport to the light sensitive membranes is essential for photoreceptor health. Second, we are interested in the mechanisms triggering and carrying out the process of photoreceptor cell death. Many experimental results indicate that similar biochemical pathways and mechanisms are shared by invertebrate and vertebrate photoreceptors. Thus, our work contributes to the understanding of the inherited retinal diseases that afflict human populations.

Additional information about the research projects, laboratory personnel, and upcoming/recent participation at scientific meetings can be found on my labpage.

 

Selected Publications

Sarfare, S., Ahmad, S. T., Joyce, M. V., Boggess, B., and O'Tousa, J. E. (2005). Drosophila ninaG oxidoreductase acts in visual pigment chromophore production. J Biol Chem 280: 11895-901.

 

Satoh, A., O’Tousa, J. E., Ozaki, K., and Ready, D. F. (2005). Rab11 mediates post-Golgi trafficking of rhodopsin to the photosensitive apical membrane of Drosophila photoreceptors. Development 132: 1487-97.

Nicodemus, J., O'Tousa J, E., and Duman, J. G. (2006). Expression of a Beetle, Dendroides canadensis, antifreeze protein in Drosophila melanogaster. J Insect Physiol. 52: 888-96.

 

Ahmad, S. T., Joyce, M. V., Boggess, B., and O'Tousa, J. E. (2006). The role of Drosophila ninaG oxidoreductase in visual pigment chromophore biogenesis. J Biol Chem 281, 9205-9.

 

Ahmad, S. T., Natochin, M., Barren, B., Artemyev, N.O. and O’Tousa, J.E. (2006). Heterologous expression of bovine rhodopsin in Drosophila photoreceptor cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 47: 3722-8.

 

Natochin, M., Barren, B., Ahmad, S. T., O’Tousa, J. E., and Artemyev, N. O. (2006) Probing rhodopsin-transducin interaction using Drosophila Rh1-bovine rhodopsin chimeras. Vision Research 46: 4575-81.

 

Ahmad, S. T., Natochin, B., Artemyev, N.O. and O’Tousa, J.E. (2007). The Drosophila rhodopsin cytoplasmic tail domain is required for maintenance of rhabdomere structure. FASEB J. (in press).

 

Yang, J. and O’Tousa, J.E. (2007) Cellular sites of Drosophila NinaB and NinaD activity in vitamin A metabolism. Mol. And Cell. Neurosci. (in press).