Changes in Redox Balance and Mitochondrial Activity in the Retinas of Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter Knockout Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) mediates glutamate export and cyst(e)ine import. In the retina, we previously demonstrated that xCT is important in glutamate/glutamine cycling between photoreceptor and Müller cells. This study investigates the contribution of xCT to cyst(e)ine import and glutathione homeostasis and its impact on mitochondrial function.

Methods

C57BL/6J wild type (WT) and xCT knockout (KO) retinas were analyzed at six weeks and nine months. Mass spectrometry and silver-intensified immunogold labeling were used to measure cysteine (CSH) and glutathione (GSH) in the retinal layers, whereas high-resolution respirometry measured mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Results

While CSH and GSH were similar between WT

SUBMITTER: Knight LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12442938 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature