Altered expression of the iron transporter Nramp1 (Slc11a1) during fetal development of the retinal pigment epithelium in microphthalmia-associated transcription factor Mitfmi and Mitfvitiligo mouse mutants

Abstract Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor ( Mitf ) is expressed in neural crest cell-derived melanocytes, and in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during ocular development. Mutations in Mitf are associated with auditory/visual/pigmentary syndromes in humans. Mitf mi/mi mouse mutants lack pigmentation, and are microphthalmic, while Mitf vit/vit mouse mutants display abnormal RPE pigmentation, and progressive retinal degeneration. Microarray analysis was used to identify novel downstream gene targets/pathways in the RPE that are altered by mutations in the transcription factor Mitf . Using the Affymetrix platform, gene expression profiles were generated using the eyes of E13.5 mouse fetuses that were wildtype, heterozygous, or homozygous for the Mitf mi mutation. In a separate experiment, eyes from E13.5 mouse fetuses homozygous for the Mitf vit mutation were compared to eyes from the C57BL/6 control background strain. Statistical analyses were performed using robust multiarray average, mixed-effects ANOVA and random-variance t -tests. Altered expression of genes involved in pigment formation, melanosome biogenesis/transport, and redox homeostasis were observed. Twelve genes were commonly mis-regulated in the eyes of both Mitf mutants: 10 of these genes were downregulated in both mutants relative to controls, while 2 of the genes ( Nramp1 ( Slc11a1 ) and epoxide hydrolase ) were downregulated in Mitf mi/mi mutants, and conversely, upregulated in Mitf vit/vit mutants. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm altered gene/protein expression. RPE expression of the Fe +2 iron transporter Nramp1 ( Slc11a1 ) has not previously been reported. Fe +2 is an important co-factor utilized by the iron-dependent isomerohydrolase RPE65 in the retinoid visual cycle. However, excess accumulation of Fe +2 in the RPE has recently been associated with oxidative damage and age-related macular degeneration. Abnormal pigmentation and increased activity of Slc11a1 in the RPE of Mitf vit mice may contribute to the pathology and progressive retinal degeneration observed in these mutants.