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Updated: May 1, 2026
Direct-Coupled Electroretinogram DC-ERG for Recording the Light-Evoked Electrical Responses of the Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Published on: July 14, 2020
Slight alteration of the electroretinogram in mice lacking dystrophin dp71
David Cia1, Manuel Simonutti, Patrice E Fort
1UMR Inserm 1107, Laboratoire de Biophysique Neurosensorielle, UFR Pharmacie, Clermont Université, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Aim:
Most Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and the mdx(Cv3) mouse strain, lacking expression of both dystrophins Dp260 and Dp71, show a high attenuation of the dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave amplitude, whereas mice lacking the expression of Dp260 show normal b-wave amplitude. Here, we completed our assessment of whether the sole absence of Dp71 affects the ERG.
Methods:
Ganzfeld ERGs were performed on dark-adapted Dp71-null mice and littermates. Scotopic flash ERGs were recorded at light intensities from 3.10-(5) to 1 cd.s/m(2). Oscillatory potentials (OPs) were extracted at 1 cd.s/m(2). Photopic flash ERGs were recorded at 10 cd.s/m(2) after light adaptation.
Results:
Dp71-null mice showed a slight but significant reduction in b-wave amplitudes, normal a-wave amplitudes and nonaffected implicit times of the scotopic ERGs. No changes were observed in the amplitudes and implicit times of the OPs and the photopic ERGs.
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate that together both Dp71 and Dp260 are required for the generation of the ERG b-wave in mice.
Insights
The absence of dystrophin 71 (Dp71) alone causes a minor reduction in electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave amplitude. Both Dp71 and Dp260 are necessary for normal ERG b-wave generation in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
Background:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and mdx(Cv3) mice lacking both dystrophins Dp260 and Dp71 exhibit reduced electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave amplitude.
- Mice lacking only Dp260 show normal ERG b-wave amplitudes, suggesting a role for Dp71.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific effect of dystrophin 71 (Dp71) absence on the electroretinogram (ERG).
Main Methods:
- Ganzfeld electroretinograms (ERGs) were performed on dark-adapted Dp71-null mice and their littermates.
- Scotopic and photopic flash ERGs were recorded across various light intensities.
- Oscillatory potentials (OPs) were extracted from scotopic ERGs.
Main Results:
- Dp71-null mice displayed a slight but significant reduction in scotopic ERG b-wave amplitudes.
- Normal a-wave amplitudes and implicit times were observed in scotopic ERGs.
- No significant changes in OPs or photopic ERGs were detected.
Conclusions:
- The sole absence of Dp71 leads to a mild attenuation of the ERG b-wave amplitude.
- Both dystrophin 71 (Dp71) and dystrophin 260 (Dp260) are collectively essential for normal ERG b-wave generation in mice.
