Cell stress response to misfolded rhodopsin in retinitis pigmentosa
Official title: Unfolded Protein Response in Drosophila models of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11169873 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cells cope with misfolded rhodopsin to help people with retinitis pigmentosa keep their vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2010 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $420,163 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY020866-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169873 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with retinitis pigmentosa, especially those with known rhodopsin mutations, are the most relevant group for future applications of this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose vision loss is due to causes unrelated to rhodopsin misfolding or those with very advanced retinal degeneration are less likely to receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers use fruit flies that carry a mutant rhodopsin gene (ninaEG69D) which causes protein misfolding and age-related retinal degeneration similar to human retinitis pigmentosa. They focus on the cell's unfolded protein response (UPR), especially the PERK→ATF4 signaling branch that helps cells fold or clear bad proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. By changing genes and following eye degeneration and molecular markers in the flies, they test which pathways slow or speed vision loss. The long-term aim is to turn genetic and cellular findings into targets that could be explored for treatments in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify molecular targets to slow or prevent vision loss in people with rhodopsin-related retinitis pigmentosa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in fruit fly models has shown that modifying UPR pathways can change retinal degeneration, but translating those findings to human therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryoo, Hyung D — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ryoo, Hyung D
Related research
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A large, multi-site study is testing whether taking a daily NAC pill can help people with retinitis pigmentosa keep more of their vision.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.