Retinol-binding protein is synthesized in the mammalian eye.
As the chromophoric component of the visual pigment, retinol plays an essential role in vision. In the plasma, retinol is transported by retinol-binding protein (RBP) in complex with transthyretin (TTR, prealbumin). In previous work we demonstrated intraocular synthesis of TTR. To determine whether RBP is also synthesized in the eye, we performed Northern and Western blot analysis of rat eye, and detected both RBP mRNA and immunoreactive RBP. Regional Northern analysis of bovine eye localized RBP mRNA to ciliary body/iris and retina/RPE. Preliminary immunohistochemical studies revealed a widespread but heterogeneous distribution of RBP in rat eye. We postulate that ocular RBP and TTR are involved in the intraocular translocation of retinol.
Martone
R L
RL
Department of Neurology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.
Schon
E A
EA
Goodman
D S
DS
Soprano
D R
DR
Herbert
J
J
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000032:analysis; D015342:DNA Probes; D005123:Eye / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007498:Iris / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000032:analysis; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012160:Retina / Q000032:analysis; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000032:analysis; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma
D015342:DNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma