The photoreceptor protective cGMP-analog Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS shows target-specificity in the degenerating mouse retina

The inherited eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) causes the loss of photoreceptors by a still unknown cell death mechanism. During this degeneration, cGMP levels become elevated, leading to over-activation of the cGMP-binding protein cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). cGMP analogs selectively modified to have inhibitory actions on PKG have aided in impeding photoreceptor death, and one such cGMP analog is Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS. However, cGMP analogs have previously been shown to interact with numerous targets, so to further evaluate Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS’ efficacy for therapies, it is necessary to comprehend its target-selectivity and what potential cellular mechanism(s) it may affect within the photoreceptors.