A role of the anoctamin membrane protein family in the homeostasis of the retina

离子通道是维持视网膜内多种动态平衡过程所必需的。为了理解每个离子通道在正常视网膜和视网膜疾病发病机制中的特定功能作用(S)，对它们的分子身份的详细了解是至关重要的。在最近的工作中，我们发现新发现的Anoctamin离子通道家族的成员(Ano2-4)表达在光感受器、Müler细胞和视网膜色素上皮(RPE)细胞中。我们假设Ano2-4在视网膜中参与了重要的动态平衡功能，并计划研究其特定的功能特性。为此，我们将采取行动。)研究异源表达的异源蛋白的基本离子通道性质，并分析它们与其他分子的功能相互作用。)分析内源性表达的anocTamins及其在Müler和RPE细胞功能中的作用。虽然初步数据和目前的文献强烈建议离子通道的功能，到目前为止还没有发现的硝酸铵，我们将探索其他功能，如膜电导的调节。在这些研究过程中，我们将表征迄今为止尚未探索的anoctamin家族成员的基本功能，它们与视网膜健康的功能相关性，以及它们在视网膜退化中的影响。

Ion channels are essential to maintain multiple homeostatic processes in the retina. A detailed knowledge of their molecular identity is critically required to understand the specific functional role(s) of each ion channel in the normal retina and in the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. In recent work, we discovered that members (Ano2-4) of the newly discovered anoctamin ion channel family are expressed in photoreceptors, Müller cells and in cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).We hypothesize that Ano2-4 contribute to important homeostatic functions in the retina and plan to investigate their specific functional properties. To this end we will a.) investigate the basic ion channel properties of heterologously expressed anoctamins and analyse their functional interaction with other molecules b.) analyze endogenously expressed anoctamins and their involvement in Müller and RPE cell function. Although preliminary data and current literature strongly suggest ion channel function of the so far unexplored Ano3-4, we will explore alternative functions such as regulation of membrane conductance. In the course of these studies, we will characterize the basic functions of so far unexplored members of the anoctamin family, their functional relevance for the retina in health and their impact in retinal degeneration.