Structural biology of 11- cis- retinaldehyde production in the classical visual cycle

Biochem J. 2018 Oct 22;475(20):3171-3188. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20180193.

Abstract

The vitamin A derivative 11-cis-retinaldehyde plays a pivotal role in vertebrate vision by serving as the chromophore of rod and cone visual pigments. In the initial step of vision, a photon is absorbed by this chromophore resulting in its isomerization to an all-trans state and consequent activation of the visual pigment and phototransduction cascade. Spent chromophore is released from the pigments through hydrolysis. Subsequent photon detection requires the delivery of regenerated 11-cis-retinaldehyde to the visual pigment. This trans-cis conversion is achieved through a process known as the visual cycle. In this review, we will discuss the enzymes, binding proteins and transporters that enable the visual pigment renewal process with a focus on advances made during the past decade in our understanding of their structural biology.

Keywords: eye; rhodopsins; vision; vitamin A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / metabolism*
  • Retinal Pigments / chemistry
  • Retinal Pigments / genetics
  • Retinal Pigments / metabolism*
  • Retinaldehyde / chemistry
  • Retinaldehyde / genetics
  • Retinaldehyde / metabolism*
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology*

Substances

  • Retinal Pigments
  • Retinaldehyde