Rhodopsin mislocalization drives ciliary dysregulation in a novel autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa knock-in mouse model

Abstract

Rhodopsin mislocalization encompasses various blind conditions. Rhodopsin mislocalization is the primary factor leading to rod photoreceptor dysfunction and degeneration in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) caused by class I mutations. In this study, we report a new knock-in mouse model that harbors a class I Q344X mutation in the endogenous rhodopsin gene, which causes rod photoreceptor degeneration in an autosomal dominant pattern. In Rho^Q344X/+ mice, mRNA transcripts from the wild-type (Rho) and Rho^Q344X mutant rhodopsin alleles are expressed at equal levels. However, the amount of RHO^Q344X mutant protein is 2.7 times lower than that of wild-type rhodopsin, a finding consistent with the rapid degradation of the mutant protein. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicates that RHO^Q344X is mislocalized to the inner segment and outer nuclear layers of rod photoreceptors in both Rho^Q344X/+ and Rho^Q344X/Q344X mice, confirming the essential role of the C-terminal VxPx motif in promoting OS delivery of rhodopsin. The mislocalization of RHO^Q344X is associated with the concurrent mislocalization of wild-type rhodopsin in Rho^Q344X/+ mice. To understand the global changes in proteostasis, we conducted quantitative proteomics analysis and found attenuated expression of rod-specific OS membrane proteins accompanying reduced expression of ciliopathy causative gene products, including constituents of BBSome and axonemal dynein subunit. Those studies unveil a novel negative feedback regulation involving ciliopathy-associated proteins. In this process, a defect in the trafficking signal leads to a reduced quantity of the trafficking apparatus, culminating in a widespread reduction in the transport of ciliary proteins.