Yo Sasaki publishes his paper entitled “Characterization of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis-associated NMNAT1 Mutants” in JCB. Congratulations!

In this paper, we used a series of assays to identify Nmnat1 functional deficits caused by mutations in this NAD biosynthetic enzyme that result in a childhood retinal degeneration disorder called Leber Congenital Amaurosis 9.

Background:  LCA9 is a severe retinal degeneration condition caused by mutations in the NAD + biosynthetic enzyme NMNAT1.

Results:  Many of LCA9-associated NMNAT1 mutants have relatively normal enzymatic and neuroprotective activities, but manifest stress- induced instability.

Conclusion: Stress-induced instability of NMNAT1 could be responsible for retinal abnormalities in LCA9.

Significance:  Our results identify potential mechanisms that promote retinal degeneration observed in LCA9.