Transferrin ameliorates retinal degeneration by mediating the dimerization of all-trans-retinal.

ABSTRACT: High levels of all-trans-retinal (atRAL) in the retina is considered to be responsible for the development of autosomal recessive Stargardt's disease (STGD1) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). Two bisretinoids, all-trans-retinal dimer (atRAL-dimer) and N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E), form from the dimerization of atRAL in the retina but they possess much lower toxicity and phototoxicity toward retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells than atRAL. Here, we introduced a novel function of transferrin (TRF) in mediating the conversion of atRAL into atRAL-dimer and A2E, which effectively protected the retina from damage by atRAL and prevented retinal function decline in mice, and rescued atRAL-loaded RPE cells. Moreover, TRF-mediated conversion of atRAL to atRAL-dimer an

SUBMITTER: Tao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742617 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature