Membranes of retinal microsomes: a new protein of the microsomal monooxigenase system

A new component, which substitutes cytochrome P-450 as an acceptor of reducing equivalents from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, was identified in the bovine retina microsomal monooxigenase system, which does not contain cytochrome P-450. This component is a non-heme iron-containing protein with molecular mass of 66 kDa. The properties of the protein from the bovine retina are similar to those of MIP, a non-heme iron-containing protein from the heart microsomal monooxigenase system, in which cytochrome P-450 was not identified, either. Activation of the microsomal monooxigenase system (an increase in the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity, an increased rate of microsomal NADPH oxidation) was shown in the retina upon long-term intensive illumination. It was shown also that the development of hereditary degeneration of the retina in rats was accompanied by activation of the specific microsomal monooxigenase system in the target tissues (retina, brain cortex) irrespective of its composition (cytochrome P-450 or non-heme iron-containing protein).