Figure 5. The AAV-ribozyme reduces accumulation of rhodopsin

Groups of three mice were analyzed by western blot for rhodopsin content at two months after injection. Right eyes were injected with Rz397, and left eyes were not injected. Results were normalized to the level of β-actin probed in the same blots. A: In hemizygous mice (RHO^+/-) rhodopsin protein reduction was 80% (p<0.02). Control animals in which the right eyes were injected with saline solution and the left eyes were untreated did not show reduction in rhodopsin content (data not shown). B: Wild type (RHO^+/+) animals showed a 50% reduction in rhodopsin content, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.12). C: A representative western blot from RHO^+/- animals is shown.