The p110α isoform of phosphoinositide 3-kinase is essential for cone photoreceptor survival

• Phosphoinositides regulate neuron survival.
• Phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit is essential for color vision.
• Cone-specific deletion of PI3K leads to cone-photoreceptor neurodegeneration.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a family of lipid kinases that phosphorylates the 3′OH of the inositol ring of phosphoinositides (PIs). They are responsible for coordinating a diverse range of cellular functions. Class IA PI3K is a heterodimeric protein composed of a regulatory p85 and a catalytic p110 subunit. In this study, we conditionally deleted the p110α-subunit of PI3K in cone photoreceptor cells using the Cre-loxP system. Cone photoreceptors allow for color vision in bright light (daylight vision). Cone-specific deletion of p110α resulted in cone degeneration. Our studies suggest that PI3K signaling is essential for cone photoreceptor functions.