# Role of dynamin in photoreceptor disc morphogenesis

> **NIH NIH F32** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $74,234

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The photoreceptor outer segment is a modified primary cilium containing constantly renewing stack of disc
membranes. Around 10% of the outer segment is replaced every day, with new discs formed at the outer
segment base and old discs shed at the distal outer segment end. Disc morphogenesis starts with evagination
of the ciliary plasma membrane, is followed by membrane flattening and lateral outgrowth, and concludes with
complete or partial disc enclosure (in rods and cones, respectively). Complete disc enclosure involves a unique
membrane scission event separating the disc membrane from the surrounding outer segment plasma
membrane. The molecular basis for this event remains entirely unknown. During endocytosis in other
eukaryotic cells, membrane scission is performed by dynamins, which release membrane vesicles into the
cytoplasm. Therefore, Aim 1 of this proposal explores the role of dynamins in the process of rod disc scission
and Aim 2 seeks to identify the key of proteins performing this important function. My research strategy will
utilize ultrastructural analysis of knockout mice lacking specific dynamin isoforms, various approaches to
studying subcellular protein localization, targeted proteomic search for endocytic proteins present in highly
purified rod outer segment preparations and absolute protein quantification using isotope-labeled mass
spectrometry. The feasibility of these approaches is validated in preliminary experiments. Taken together, the
proposed studies will allow us to better understand how disc morphogenesis is performed on the molecular
level, which is highly relevant to understanding the basic biology of these fascinating cells and uncovering the
pathophysiological mechanisms of inherited blinding diseases in human patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10406148
- **Project number:** 5F32EY032389-02
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Christin Hanke-Gogokhia
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $74,234
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10406148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10406148, Role of dynamin in photoreceptor disc morphogenesis (5F32EY032389-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10406148. Licensed CC0.

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