Retinoschisin and Cardiac Glycoside Crosstalk at the Retinal Na/K-ATPase

Mutations in the RS1 gene, which encodes retinoschisin, cause X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, a retinal dystrophy in males. Retinoschisin specifically interacts with the retinal sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase), a transmembrane ion pump. Na/K-ATPases also bind cardiac glycosides, which control the activity of the pump and have been linked to disturbances in retinal homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the crosstalk between retinoschisin and cardiac glycosides at the retinal Na/K-ATPase and the consequences of this interplay on retinal integrity.

The effect of cardiac glycosides (ouabain and digoxin) on the binding of retinoschisin to the retinal Na/K-ATPase was investigated via western blot and immunocytochemistry. Also, the influence of retinoschisin on the binding of cardiac glycosides was analyzed via enzymatic assays, which quantified cardiac glycoside-sensitive Na/K-ATPase pump activity. Moreover, retinoschisin-dependent binding of tritium-labeled ouabain to the Na/K-ATPase was determined. Finally, a reciprocal effect of retinoschisin and cardiac glycosides on Na/K-ATPase localization and photoreceptor degeneration was addressed using immunohistochemistry in retinoschisin-deficient murine retinal explants.

Cardiac glycosides displaced retinoschisin from the retinal Na/K-ATPase; however, retinoschisin did not affect cardiac glycoside binding. Notably, cardiac glycosides reduced the capacity of retinoschisin to regulate Na/K-ATPase localization and to protect against photoreceptor degeneration.

Our findings reveal opposing effects of retinoschisin and cardiac glycosides on retinal Na/K-ATPase binding and on retinal integrity, suggesting that a fine-tuned interplay between both components is required to maintain retinal homeostasis. This observation provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying the pathological effects of cardiac glycoside treatment on retinal integrity.