A FRMD4B variant suppresses dysplastic photoreceptor lesions in models of enhanced S-cone syndrome and of Nrl deficiency.

Authors

Yang Kong, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Lihong Zhao, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Jeremy R. Charette, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Wanda L. Hicks, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Lisa Stone, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Patsy M. Nishina, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Juergen K. Naggert, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

JAX Source

Hum Molec Genet 2018; 27(19):3340-3352.

ISSN

1460-2083

PMID

29947801

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddy238

Grant

EY028561, EYo16501, EY11996,CA034196

Abstract

Photoreceptor dysplasia, characterized by formation of folds and (pseudo-) rosettes in the outer retina, is associated with loss of functional nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E member 3 (NR2E3) and neural retina leucine-zipper (NRL) in both humans and mice. A sensitized chemical mutagenesis study to identify genetic modifiers that suppress photoreceptor dysplasia in Nr2e3rd7 mutant mice identified line Tvrm222, which exhibits a normal fundus appearance in the presence of the rd7 mutation. The Tvrm222 modifier of Nr2e3rd7/rd7 was localized to Chromosome 6 and identified as a missense mutation in the FERM domain containing 4B (Frmd4b) gene. The variant is predicted to cause the substitution of a serine residue 938 with proline (S938P). The Frmd4bTvrm222 allele was also found to suppress outer nuclear layer (ONL) rosettes in Nrl-/- mice. Fragmentation of the external limiting membrane (ELM), normally observed in rd7 and Nrl-/- mouse retinas, was absent in the presence of the Frmd4bTvrm222 allele. FRMD4B, a binding partner of cytohesin 3, is proposed to participate in cell junction remodeling. Its biological function in photoreceptor dysplasia has not been previously examined. In vitro experiments showed that the FRMD4B938P variant fails to be efficiently recruited to the cell surface upon insulin stimulation. In addition, we found a reduction in AKT phosphorylation and increased levels of cell junction proteins, CTNNB1 and TJP1, associated with the cell membrane in Tvrm222 retinas. Taken together, this study reveals a critical role of FRMD4B in maintaining ELM integrity and in rescuing morphological abnormalities of the ONL in photoreceptor dysplasia.

Comments

We thank The Jackson Laboratory Scientific Services including Sequencing, Histology and Imaging Sciences for their expert support.

Recommended Citation

Kong Y, Zhao L, Charette JR, Hicks WL, Stone L, Nishina PM, Naggert JK. A FRMD4B variant suppresses dysplastic photoreceptor lesions in models of enhanced S-cone syndrome and of Nrl deficiency. Hum Molec Genet 2018; 27(19):3340-3352.