This enzyme, which operates in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), catalyses the cleavage and isomerization of all-trans-retinyl fatty acid esters to 11-cis-retinol, a key step in the regeneration of the visual chromophore in the vertebrate visual cycle . Interaction of the enzyme with the membrane is critical for its enzymic activity .
This enzyme, which operates in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), catalyses the cleavage and isomerization of all-trans-retinyl fatty acid esters to 11-cis-retinol, a key step in the regeneration of the visual chromophore in the vertebrate visual cycle [4]. Interaction of the enzyme with the membrane is critical for its enzymic activity [6].
in vitro, the dark-adapted form of RGR (retinal pigment epithelium-retinal G protein receptor-opsin) inhibits, but the light-adapted form has no effect on all-trans-REH
the Usher 1B protein MYO7A is required for normal localization and function of the visual retinoid cycle enzyme RPE65. RPE65 normally undergoes a light-dependent translocation to become more concentrated in the central region of the RPE cells. This translocation requires MYO7A
in the dark, RPE65 is distributed more extensively throughout the cell, but upon exposure to light (about 100 lux, 2 h), it becomes concentrated more in the central region
outer segment discs of rod photoreceptors in Rpe65-deficient mice are disorganized, rod function is abolished although cone function remains. Rpe65-deficient mice lack rhodopsin, but not opsin apoprotein
deletion of RPE65 partially suppresses cone dark adaptation. Transgenic mice expressing human RPE65 in the cones reveal no morphological or functional changes between control (RPE65-deficient) and transgenic cones, with only a slight delay in dark adaptation, possibly caused by the buffering of retinoids by RPE65
large amounts of esters accumulate in Rpe65-/- mice. Retinyl ester levels in Sv/129 wild type mice that are dark adapted for various intervals are similar to those in mice raised in cyclic light. In C57BL/6 mice, which contain less Rpe65 protein, dark adaptation is accompanied by an increase in ester levels compared to cyclic light controls. Retinyl ester levels are much higher in Rpe65-/- mice compared to wild type and keep increasing with age
Retinal pigment epithelium-retinal G protein receptor-opsin mediates light-dependent translocation of all-trans-retinyl esters for synthesis of visual chromophore in retinal pigment epithelial cells