Retinal degeneration

Molecular techniques in ophthalmology and related subjects have led in rece nt years to the identification of many genes expressed in photoreceptor cel ls and have allowed the characterization of mutations leading to distinct p henotypes of retinal degeneration. Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, has been identified as the final common pathway in this disease group. A casca de of events has evolved, starting with specific stimuli and developing ove r different mediators and regulators (e.g,Fas ligand,proteins of the Bcl-2 family, p53) to effector enzymes (caspases).The ever increasing data of thi s pathway serve as a basis for new therapeutic strategies. We review the cu rrent knowledge on apoptosis in retinal degeneration.