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Constitutive Activation Mutant mTOR Promote Cone Survival in Retinitis Pigmentosa Mice

Ammaji Rajala1,2, Yuhong Wang1,2, Raju V S Rajala3,4,5,6

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 4, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Activating mTOR, a key protein kinase, protected cone photoreceptors from degeneration in mouse models. This suggests protein kinases could treat cone-affecting retinal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cone photoreceptor survival depends on tyrosine and serine/threonine kinase signaling pathways.
  • These crucial pathways are often downregulated in mouse models of retinal degenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of activating oncogenic protein kinases, specifically mTOR, in cone photoreceptor degeneration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse models of retinal degeneration.
  • Introduced activation mutants of mTOR to observe their effect on cone survival.

Main Results:

  • Activation mutants of mTOR significantly delayed cone cell death in the mouse model.
  • This indicates a protective role for mTOR signaling in retinal degeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Oncogenic protein kinases, such as mTOR, show promise as therapeutic agents.
  • Targeting these pathways could offer a novel treatment strategy for cone-affecting retinal degenerations.
Keywords:
Cone photoreceptorsInsulin receptorOncogeneProtein kinasesRetinal degenerationRetinitis pigmentosaSurvivalmTOR

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