Properties and immunocytochemical localization of three retinoid-binding proteins from bovine retina

Cellular retinal-binding protein (CRALBP) complexed with 11-cis-retinal has several properties characteristic of a visual pigment. Interaction of the protein and retinoid results in a bathochromic shift in the absorption spectrum of the chromophore from 380 to 425 nm, accompanied by a decrease in the extinction coefficient (25,000-15,000 M-1 cm-1). Illumination of the complex results in the progressive loss of absorbance at 425 nm and an increase at 375 nm, consistent with the production of a geometrical isomer of retinal that lacks affinity for the binding protein. Analysis by HPLC of the retinoids after illumination reveals that the basis of the spectral transition is a photoisomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal. Only small amounts (less than 10%) of 13-cis-retinal are produced during the photoisomerization, showing the stereospecificity of the process. Although CRALBP has the spectral characteristics of a blue-sensitive visual pigment, there is no evidence that this is related to its function. This protein may serve as a model for the interactions of 11-cis-retinal and protein. Eleven-cis-retinol bound to CRALBP is a better substrate for esterification by microsomes from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) than all-trans-retinol bound to cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP). The product of the reaction, retinyl ester, does not remain bound to either binding protein but becomes associated with the microsomal fraction. Esterification is the first described process, occurring in the dark, by which retinoids can be removed from CRBP and CRALBP. Antibodies to bovine CRBP have been produced in rabbits following injection of the performic acid-oxidized protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)