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Zebrafish Class 1 Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Proteins: PITPβ and Double Cone Cell Outer Segment Integrity in Retina
Author(s) -
Ile Kristina E.,
Kassen Sean,
Cao Canhong,
Vihtehlic Thomas,
Shah Sweety D.,
Mousley Carl J.,
Alb James G.,
Huijbregts Richard P. H.,
Stearns George W.,
Brockerhoff Susan E.,
Hyde David R.,
Bankaitis Vytas A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
traffic
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.677
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1600-0854
pISSN - 1398-9219
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2010.01085.x
Subject(s) - zebrafish , biology , morpholino , microbiology and biotechnology , gene isoform , retina , gene knockdown , function (biology) , genetics , cell culture , neuroscience , gene
Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) in yeast co‐ordinate lipid metabolism with the activities of specific membrane trafficking pathways. The structurally unrelated metazoan PITPs (mPITPs), on the other hand, are an under‐investigated class of proteins. It remains unclear what biological activities mPITPs discharge, and the mechanisms by which these proteins function are also not understood. The soluble class 1 mPITPs include the PITPα and PITPβ isoforms. Of these, the β‐isoforms are particularly poorly characterized. Herein, we report the use of zebrafish as a model vertebrate for the study of class 1 mPITP biological function. Zebrafish express PITPα and PITPβ‐isoforms (Pitpna and Pitpnb, respectively) and a novel PITPβ‐like isoform (Pitpng). Pitpnb expression is particularly robust in double cone cells of the zebrafish retina. Morpholino‐mediated protein knockdown experiments demonstrate Pitpnb activity is primarily required for biogenesis/maintenance of the double cone photoreceptor cell outer segments in the developing retina. By contrast, Pitpna activity is essential for successful navigation of early developmental programs. This study reports the initial description of the zebrafish class 1 mPITP family, and the first analysis of PITPβ function in a vertebrate.