Abstract
To explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with photoreceptor death in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), we have investigated altered transcriptional activity in RP retinas by a differential cDNA screening approach. We identified a clone (K222) showing over-expression in simplex RP retinas compared with controls. K222 encodes a partial cDNA of the human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP3) gene, a member of a family of genes implicated in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Increased expression of TIMP3 in degenerating RP retinas may reflect restructuring of the ECM architecture, and disruption of photoreceptor-matrix interactions could contribute to activation of apoptotic cell death processes.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Adult
-
Aged
-
Aged, 80 and over
-
Apoptosis
-
Base Sequence
-
Chromosome Mapping
-
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22
-
DNA, Complementary / analysis
-
Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
-
Female
-
Gene Expression Regulation*
-
Humans
-
Male
-
Metalloendopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors
-
Middle Aged
-
Molecular Sequence Data
-
Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
-
RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
-
RNA, Messenger / genetics
-
Retina / metabolism*
-
Retinitis Pigmentosa / metabolism*
-
Sequence Analysis, DNA
-
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
-
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3
Substances
-
DNA, Complementary
-
Neoplasm Proteins
-
RNA, Messenger
-
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3
-
Metalloendopeptidases
Associated data
-
GENBANK/X77690
-
GENBANK/X80791