The Photoreceptor Cilium

描述（由申请人提供）：光感受器外节是一个复杂的初级纤毛。视蛋白进入纤毛并沿着纤毛递送对于光感受器细胞的功能和活力是至关重要的。本研究的总体目标是了解这些传递过程中涉及的细胞机制。将使用细胞生物学方法的组合，包括活小鼠感光细胞纤毛中蛋白质运动的成像。研究将解决有关视蛋白进入和运输沿着纤毛，和感光纤毛的膜扩散屏障的问题。拟议的研究采用了技术创新，包括使用纤毛上皮细胞系和小鼠视杆细胞测量视蛋白沿着纤毛的实时运动。它将测试小说 视蛋白运输的概念和光感受器纤毛的组织。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The photoreceptor outer segment is an elaborate primary cilium. The delivery of opsin into and along the cilium is critical for photoreceptor cell function and viability. The overall goal of this study is to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in these delivery processes. A combination of cell biological methods, including imaging of protein movements in the cilium of live mouse photoreceptor cells, will be used. Studies will address questions about opsin entry into and transport along the cilium, and the membrane diffusion barrier of the photoreceptor cilium. The proposed research incorporates technical innovation, including the measurements of real-time movements of opsin along the cilium, using a ciliated epithelial cell line and mouse rod photoreceptor cells. It will test novel concepts of opsin trafficking and the organization of the photoreceptor cilium.