Experimental approaches to the study of A2E, a bisretinoid lipofuscin chromophore of retinal pigment epithelium

Janet R. Sparrow, So Ra Kim, Yalin Wu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bisretinoid lipofuscin compounds that accumulate in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of some forms of macular degeneration. In the development of approaches to the amelioration of retinal disorders characterized by enhanced RPE lipofuscin formation, attention is being given to therapies that reduce the production of these damaging pigments. An understanding of the biosynthetic pathways by which these molecules form is essential to the development of these therapies. Thus methods for studying the biosynthesis of these compounds are presented. A tissue culture model is also described whereby a human RPE cell line that is otherwise devoid of bisretinoid lipofuscin compounds is employed and synthesized A2E is delivered to the cells. This approach allows for a population of RPE cells that have accumulated the lipofuscin fluorophore A2E in addition to A2E-free cells.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRetinoids
Subtitle of host publicationMethods and Protocols
Pages315-327
Number of pages13
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume652
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Keywords

  • A2E
  • A2PE
  • all-trans-retinal
  • all-trans-retinal dimer
  • bisretinoids
  • retinal pigment epithelium
  • visual cycle
  • vitamin A

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