Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.17.301523v1?rss=1 Authors: Katada, Y., Yoshida, K., Kobayashi, K., Hideyuki, O., Kandori, H., Tsubota, K., Kurihara, T. Abstract: To achieve mammalian rhodopsin-mediated amplification via G protein activation using retinal gene therapy, we incorporated human rhodopsin cytoplasmic loops into Gloeobacter rhodopsin, thereby generating Gloeobacter and human chimeric rhodopsin (GHCR). Photoreception requires amplification by mammalian rhodopsin through G protein activation, which requires a visual cycle. In a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, we induced retinal GHCR expression by intravitreal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector. Retinal explant and visual thalamus electrophysiological recordings, behavioral tests, and histological analysis showed that GHCR restored dim-environment vision and prevented the progression of retinal degeneration. Thus, GHCR may be a potent clinical tool for the treatment of retinal disorders. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info