Phosphoinositide Lipids in Ocular Tissues

Inositol phospholipids play an important role in cell physiology. The inositol head groups are reversibly phosphorylated to produce seven distinct phosphorylated inositides, commonly referred to as phosphoinositides (PIs). These seven PIs are dynamically interconverted from one PI to another by the action of PI kinases and PI phosphatases. The PI signals regulate a wide variety of cellular functions, including organelle distinction, vesicular transport, cytoskeletal organization, nuclear events, regulation of ion channels, cell signaling, and host-pathogen interactions. Most of the studies of PIs in ocular tissues are based on the PI enzymes and PI phosphatases. In this study, we examined the PI levels in the cornea, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and retina using PI-binding protein as probes. We have examined the lipids PI(3)P, PI(4)P, PI(3,4)P₂, PI(4,5)P₂, and PI(3,4,5)P₃, and each is present in the cornea, RPE, and retina. Alterations in the levels of these PIs in mouse models of retinal disease and corneal infections have been reported, and the results of our study will help in the management of anomalous phosphoinositide metabolism in ocular tissues.