Synthesis of 3-hydroxyretinal in the cytosol of the butterfly compound eye.
The metabolism of 3-hydroxyretinoids in the cytosol of the compound eyes of a species of butterfly, Papilio xuthus, was investigated. The cytosol was found to contain 25-30% of the total 3-hydroxyretinal and 70-82% of the total 3-hydroxyretinol in the eye. These percentages of 3-hydroxyretinoids in the cytosol were found to be constant regardless of whether the eyes are light-adapted or dark-adapted. 3-Hydroxyretinal can be newly synthesized in the cytosol of light-adapted eyes. Blue light specifically increases the amount of 11-cis and all-trans 3-hydroxyretinal ca 2.5 and 1.8 times respectively, compared to pre-irradiation. When 3-hydroxyretinal was synthesized, 3-hydroxyretinol was decreased or disappeared in the cytosol. When retinol (non-native chemical) was added to the cytosol, it was converted into retinal. This result indicates that an oxidative system exists in the compound eye which can convert 3-hydroxyretinol to 3-hydroxyretinal.
Shimazaki
Y
Y
Department of Biology, Yokohama City University, Japan.
Eguchi
E
E
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002080:Butterflies / Q000378:metabolism*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D012172:Retinaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013997:Time Factors
C049427:3-hydroxyretinal; D012172:Retinaldehyde