title: Structures and biogenetic analysis of lipofuscin bis-retinoids.
abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is still an incurable blinding eye disease because of complex pathogenic mechanisms and unusual diseased regions. With the use of chemical biology tools, great progress has been achieved in improving the understanding of AMD pathogenesis. The severity of AMD is, at least in part, linked to the non-degradable lipofuscin bis-retinoids in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE). This material is thought to result from the lifelong accumulation of lysosomal residual bodies containing the end products derived from the daily phagocytosis of rod outer segments by RPE cells. Here, we present previously recognized bis-retinoids with focus on structures and biosynthetic pathways. In addition to a brief discussion on the mutual conversion relationships of bis-retinoids, future perspectives and the medical relevance of such studies on these lipofuscin constituents are also highlighted.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. yalinw@zju.edu.cn
authors.forename: Ya-lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D012176:Retinoids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012374:Rod Cell Outer Segment / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C056475:ABCA4 protein, human; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D008062:Lipofuscin; D012176:Retinoids