Photoreceptor cells display a daily rhythm in the orphan receptor Esrrβ

Mol Vis. 2015 Feb 19:21:173-84. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Purpose: Nuclear orphan receptors are critical for the development and long-term survival of photoreceptor cells. In the present study, the expression of the nuclear orphan receptor Esrrβ--a transcriptional regulator of energy metabolism that protects rod photoreceptors from dystrophy--was tested under daily regulation in the retina and photoreceptor cells.

Methods: The daily transcript and protein amount profiles were recorded in preparations of the whole retina and microdissected photoreceptor cells using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot analysis.

Results: Esrrβ displayed a daily rhythm with elevated values at night in the whole retina and enriched photoreceptor cells. Daily regulation of Esrrβ mRNA depended on light input but not on melatonin, and evoked a corresponding rhythm in the Esrrβ protein.

Conclusions: The data presented in this study indicate that daily regulation of Esrrβ in photoreceptor cells may contribute to their adaptation to 24-h changes in metabolic demands.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Photoperiod
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
  • Tissue Culture Techniques
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Esrrb protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Estrogen