Figure 8.

Confocal microscopy shows that Ppl profoundly affects the distribution of the fraction of ezrin/moesin and rac1, which is normally associated with rab8-positive RTCs. Control (A and C) or Ppl-treated retinas (B and D) labeled with anti-moesin antibody (red), phalloidin (green), and nuclear stain TO-PRO-3 (blue). Punctate anti-moesin labeling along actin filaments seen in control photoreceptors (arrows in A and C) is mostly absent in Ppl-treated retinas, except at the OLM (arrow in D). (E and F) Retinal sections labeled with anti-moesin (red, E) or anti rac1 (red, F) showing that both proteins are localized to the same punctate structures, along microfilaments (green) and in the proximity of the cilium consistent with RTCs (arrows). (G) On Ppl treatment, rac1 is diffusely distributed along the RIS/ROS border. (H and I) Higher magnification images of anti rac1 (red, H) or anti-moesin (red, I) localized to periciliary RTCs. (J and K) Control (J) or Ppl-treated retinas (K) labeled with anti-rab8 (red) and anti-moesin antibody (green). In control retinas, rab8 and moesin are colocalized (yellow) on RTCs (arrow in J) and in punctate structures along microfilaments in the calycal processes (arrowheads). In Ppl-treated retinas, accumulated RTCs are rab8 positive (arrow in K), but devoid of moesin, whereas the two proteins are still colocalized in the calycal processes (arrowheads). Bar, 10 μm (A and B); 5 μm (C–F and H); 7 μm (G), and 3 μm (I–K).