The expression of dynein light chain DYNLL1 (LC8-1) is persistently downregulated in glaucomatous rat retinal ganglion cells

Abstract

High intraocular pressure induces glaucomatous degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The cellular mechanisms leading to activation of the apoptosis cascade are multidimensional and only partially understood. A small dynein subunit, the light chain DYNLL1 (synonym LC8-1, PIN) has recently been shown to be an important regulator of neuron proteins known to be involved in glaucomatous RGC death including NO synthases, the pro-apoptotic protein Bim and the dynein intermediate chain. Also, DYNLL1 is a regulator of mitochondria anchorage in axons, which is impaired in glaucoma. We investigated expression of DYNLL1 and 2 and its dynein binding partner dynein intermediate chain in a rat mod..