# The Role of ARAP1 in Retinal Photoreceptor Homeostasis

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2020 · $207,519

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Hereditary retinal degenerations are an important cause of blindness in young people, and frequently are due
to genetic abnormalities in photoreceptor cells of the retina. No current therapies exist to slow down
progression of these diseases or to restore vision. This research seeks to understand the role of a specific
gene, Arap1, which is required for healthy photoreceptor functioning. Determining the role of this gene in
photoreceptors expands the basic understanding of retinal physiology, and also opens new avenues of
potential therapy for this important group of our patient population who currently do not enjoy any beneficial
therapies from modern medicine.
This proposal seeks to determine how photoreceptor development and function is regulated, in particular by
protein sorting, targeting and trafficking, with a focus on the most abundant, most important and best-studied
protein in the outer segment, Rhodopsin (RHO). To study the role of RHO trafficking to the connecting cilium,
we generated mice with a targeted deletion in the Arf GAP Arap1 from the U.C. Davis Knockout Mouse Project
(KOMP). We have found that Arap1-/- mice exhibit features reminiscent of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in
humans: optic nerve pallor, vascular attenuation, pigmentary changes, and outer retinal thinning. The goal of
this proposal is to define the natural history of this retinal degeneration, determine the molecular and cellular
mechanisms underlying the photoreceptor damage, and to determine the suitability of this mouse as an animal
model of recessive RP in humans.
As an academic clinician-scientist and vitreoretinal specialist, I have both clinical and research interests in
understanding the mechanisms of retinal diseases. With a strong background in retinal developmental biology
and clinical treatment of retinal diseases, I am enthusiastically prepared to pursue basic and translational
research to study the pathogenesis and treatment of hereditary retinal degenerations. UC Davis offers a world-
class faculty and facilities that has the potential to facilitate my training in areas of molecular biology and
biochemistry, live animal ocular imaging, and fundamental photoreceptor physiology. The mentoring and skills
acquired with this grant proposal will enable me to attain expertise in translational hereditary retinal
degeneration research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9881302
- **Project number:** 5K08EY027463-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** ALA MOSHIRI
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $207,519
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9881302

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9881302, The Role of ARAP1 in Retinal Photoreceptor Homeostasis (5K08EY027463-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9881302. Licensed CC0.

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