Abnormal guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate during photoreceptor degeneration in the inherited retinal disorder of C3H/HeJ mice.

Elevated levels of guanosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) are associated with photoreceptor degeneration in the retina of C3H/HeJ mice. This abonormality has been shown to result from a deficiency in the activity of a receptor-specific cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. The apparent susceptibility of photoreceptor cells to an abnormality in cyclic GMP metabolism suggests that cyclic GMP may play a role in photoreceptor function which is essential to the viability of these specialized cells.