Related Experiment Videos
Noninvasive two-photon imaging reveals retinyl ester storage structures in the eye
Yoshikazu Imanishi1, Matthew L Batten, David W Piston
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356485, Seattle, WA 98195-6485, USA.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|January 28, 2004
Summary
Newly discovered retinyl ester storage particles (RESTs) are crucial for regenerating 11-cis-retinal in the eye. These novel structures, also called retinosomes, are essential for visual pigment regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Visual sensation relies on rhodopsin photoisomerization in retinal photoreceptors.
- Regeneration of visual pigments requires the formation of 11-cis-retinal in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel cellular structures involved in 11-cis-retinal formation within the RPE.
- To elucidate the role of these structures in the visual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Noninvasive two-photon microscopy utilizing the intrinsic fluorescence of all-trans-retinyl esters.
- In vivo experiments with wild-type, Rpe65-/-, and Lrat-/- mice.
Main Results:
- Discovery of previously uncharacterized intracellular compartments, termed retinyl ester storage particles (RESTs) or retinosomes.
- RESTs are all-trans-retinyl ester-rich, distinct from other organelles, and colocalize with adipose differentiation-related protein.
- RESTs accumulate in Rpe65-/- mice and are absent in Lrat-/- mice, demonstrating their role in 11-cis-retinal production.
Conclusions:
- RESTs are essential intracellular compartments for 11-cis-retinal production in the RPE.
- These structures are critical components of the visual cycle, facilitating the regeneration of visual pigments.