We have developed several frog models of photoreceptor degeneration that are similar to mammalian models but that enable novel experimental approaches. We are using these models to explore the nature of rhodopsin mutations that cause retinitis pigmentosa and the molecular mechanisms by which rod photoreceptors degenerate. We also use these models to screen for therapeutic interventions that aim to prevent or slow photoreceptor degenerations.
Zhang, R., Marsh-Armstrong, N. Photoreceptor degeneration in Xenopus laevis expressing a Pro23His mutant rhodopsin transgene. Submitted
Luo, W., Marsh-Armstrong, N., Rattner, A. and Nathans, J. (2004) An outer segment localization signal at the carboxy-terminus of the photoreceptor-specific retinol dehydrogenase. J. Neurosci. 24, 2623-32.
Kefalov, V., Fu, Y., Marsh-Armstrong, N. and Yau, K-W. (2003) Role of visual pigment properties in rod and cone phototransduction. Nature 425, 526-531. |
