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Several studies have demonstrated that the expression of odorant receptors (ORs) occurs in various tissues. These findings have served as a basis for functional studies that demonstrate the potential of ORs as drug targets for a clinical application. To the best of our knowledge, this report describes the first evaluation of the mRNA expression of ORs and the localization of OR proteins in the human retina that set a stage for subsequent functional analyses. RNA-Sequencing datasets of three individual neural retinae were generated using Next-generation sequencing and were compared to previously published but reanalyzed datasets of the peripheral and the macular human retina and to reference tissues. The protein localization of several ORs was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The transcriptome analyses detected an average of 14 OR transcripts in the neural retina, of which \(\it OR6B3\) is one of the most highly expressed ORs. Immunohistochemical stainings of retina sections localized OR2W3 to the photosensitive outer segment membranes of cones, whereas OR6B3 was found in various cell types. OR5P3 and OR10AD1 were detected at the base of the photoreceptor connecting cilium, and OR10AD1 was also localized to the nuclear envelope of all of the nuclei of the retina. The cell type-specific expression of the ORs in the retina suggests that there are unique biological functions for those receptors.

Background Joubert syndrome (JBTS) and related disorders are defined by cerebellar malformation (molar tooth sign), together with neurological symptoms of variable expressivity. The ciliary basis of Joubert syndrome related disorders frequently extends the phenotype to tissues such as the eye, kidney, skeleton and craniofacial structures. Results Using autozygome and exome analyses, we identified a null mutation in KIAA0556 in a multiplex consanguineous family with hallmark features of mild Joubert syndrome. Patient-derived fibroblasts displayed reduced ciliogenesis potential and abnormally elongated cilia. Investigation of disease pathophysiology revealed that Kiaa0556-/- null mice possess a Joubert syndrome-associated brain-restricted phenotype. Functional studies in Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes and cultured human cells support a conserved ciliary role for KIAA0556 linked to microtubule regulation. First, nematode KIAA0556 is expressed almost exclusively in ciliated cells, and the worm and human KIAA0556 proteins are enriched at the ciliary base. Second, C. elegans KIAA0056 regulates ciliary A-tubule number and genetically interacts with an ARL13B (JBTS8) orthologue to control cilium integrity. Third, human KIAA0556 binds to microtubules in vitro and appears to stabilise microtubule networks when overexpressed. Finally, human KIAA0556 biochemically interacts with ciliary proteins and p60/p80 katanins. The latter form a microtubule-severing enzyme complex that regulates microtubule dynamics as well as ciliary functions. Conclusions We have identified KIAA0556 as a novel microtubule-associated ciliary base protein mutated in Joubert syndrome. Consistent with the mild patient phenotype, our nematode, mice and human cell data support the notion that KIAA0556 has a relatively subtle and variable cilia-related function, which we propose is related to microtubule regulation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0858-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The phylogenetic distribution and sequence conservation of KIAA0556 orthologs in eukaryotes. Presence and sequence conservation of KIAA0556 are projected on the eukaryotic species tree to visualise the phylogenetic distribution of KIAA0556 orthologues as well as the distribution of the triple-repeat and quadruple-repeat configurations of the DUF4457 domains of unknown function. The black circles and white circles indicate which eukaryotic species contain or lack cilia/flagella. Recent KIAA0556 duplicates in Branchiostoma floridae and Paramecium tetraurelia are denoted by x2. *Dictyostelium discoideum protein sequence contains many â Nâ s (uncalled bases) in the N-terminal part of the sequence, indicative of sequencing errors. As a result we are unable to identify whether this region is indeed homologous to the human KIAA0556 N-terminus. Boxed schematic at bottom shows examples of C. elegans and human KIAA0556 with three and four repeat domains, respectively. (PDF 283 kb)

The phylogenetic distribution and sequence conservation of KIAA0556 orthologs in eukaryotes. Presence and sequence conservation of KIAA0556 are projected on the eukaryotic species tree to visualise the phylogenetic distribution of KIAA0556 orthologues as well as the distribution of the triple-repeat and quadruple-repeat configurations of the DUF4457 domains of unknown function. The black circles and white circles indicate which eukaryotic species contain or lack cilia/flagella. Recent KIAA0556 duplicates in Branchiostoma floridae and Paramecium tetraurelia are denoted by x2. *Dictyostelium discoideum protein sequence contains many â Nâ s (uncalled bases) in the N-terminal part of the sequence, indicative of sequencing errors. As a result we are unable to identify whether this region is indeed homologous to the human KIAA0556 N-terminus. Boxed schematic at bottom shows examples of C. elegans and human KIAA0556 with three and four repeat domains, respectively. (PDF 283 kb)