# Importance of Small GTPases in Photoreceptor Function

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $353,741

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The long term goals of our research are to identify mechanisms that contribute to the formation and
maintenance of photoreceptor outer segments. The goal of this proposal is to explore the regulation of small
GTPases that belong to the ARF-like family of proteins and their effect on early development of cilia and
photoreceptor outer segment morphogenesis. Interestingly, mutations in small GTPases and their regulators
are linked to blindness and syndromic diseases. Our study will also focus on the need for small GTPases in
protein trafficking and will test if these GTPases are needed in adult photoreceptors. We will use a
combination of unique animal models, cell culture models and in vitro biochemical analyses to
comprehensively address the requirement for GTPases and their regulation in ciliated cells including
photoreceptors.
Our proposed studies are aligned with the Retinal Diseases Program of the NEI to “Identify the genes involved
in both inherited and retinal degenerative diseases (including RP), determine the pathophysiological
mechanisms underlying these mutations, and determine new potential therapeutic strategies for treatment
such as gene transfer, tissue and cell transplantation, growth factor therapy, and
pharmacological intervention”. Our proposed studies have clinical implications, such as therapy for mutations
in small GTPases that lead to blindness, and which are not currently available.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9893876
- **Project number:** 5R01EY028035-04
- **Recipient organization:** WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Visvanathan Ramamurthy
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $353,741
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9893876

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9893876, Importance of Small GTPases in Photoreceptor Function (5R01EY028035-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9893876. Licensed CC0.

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