HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (2) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rezaie, T. Articles by Sarfarazi, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rezaie, T. Articles by Sarfarazi, M.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Profiling of Optineurin in the Rhesus Monkey

¹From the Molecular Ophthalmic Genetics Laboratory, Surgical Research Center, Department of Surgery, and the ²Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut; the ³Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin; and ⁴The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

PURPOSE. It has been shown that mutations in the optineurin (OPTN) gene are involved in the etiology of adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In view of close similarities between human and nonhuman primate ocular development and function, the rhesus monkey is considered a suitable model for human visual system research. Therefore, this study was conducted to clone the orthologue of the human OPTN gene in the rhesus monkey (Rh-OPTN) and to determine its genomic organization. A further purpose was to establish Rh-OPTN protein expression profiles and tissue distribution in the rhesus anterior segment, retina, and optic nerve.

METHODS. The Rh-OPTN gene was cloned and its genomic structure determined. The mRNA expression pattern was examined by Northern blot analysis. The protein’s cellular localization, ocular expression, and tissue distribution were established by immunolabeling.

RESULTS. The Rh-OPTN gene has 13 exons and encodes for a 571-amino-acid protein. Both cDNA and amino acid sequences are 96% identical with the human OPTN. Northern blot analysis revealed prominent expression of two different transcripts in heart, brain, kidney, lung, spleen, skeletal muscle, and small intestine. Cellular and tissue distribution of Rh-OPTN protein were highly similar to its human and mouse homologous proteins.

CONCLUSIONS. The optineurin gene and protein are evolutionary conserved between humans and the rhesus monkey. High similarity of ocular expression and tissue distribution between the two optineurin proteins suggests that this nonhuman primate is a suitable model for the pathophysiology and treatment of human glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B.-C. Park, X. Shen, M. Samaraweera, and B. Y.J.T. Yue Studies of Optineurin, a Glaucoma Gene: Golgi Fragmentation and Cell Death from Overexpression of Wild-Type and Mutant Optineurin in Two Ocular Cell Types Am. J. Pathol., December 1, 2006; 169(6): 1976 - 1989. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]