Nr2e3 functional domain ablation by CRISPR-Cas9D10A identifies a new isoform and generates retinitis pigmentosa and enhanced S-cone syndrome models

Abstract

Mutations in NR2E3 cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) in humans. This gene produces a large isoform encoded in 8 exons and a previously unreported shorter isoform of 7 exons, whose function is unknown. We generated two mouse models by targeting exon 8 of Nr2e3 using CRISPR/Cas9-D10A nickase. Allele Δ27 is an in-frame deletion of 27 bp that ablates the dimerization domain H10, whereas allele ΔE8 (full deletion of exon 8) produces only the short isoform, which lacks the C-terminal part of the ligand binding domain (LBD) that encodes both H10 and the AF2 domain involved in the Nr2e3 repressor activity. The Δ27 mutant shows developmental alterations and a non-progressive electrophysiological dysfunction that resembles the ESCS phenotype. The ΔE8 mutant exhibits progressive retinal degeneration, as occurs in human RP patients. Our mutants suggest a role for Nr2e3 as a cone-patterning regulator and provide valuable models for studying mechanisms of NR2E3-associated retinal dystrophies and evaluating potential therapies.