Dissection of the pathway required for generation of vitamin A and for Drosophila phototransduction.

ABSTRACT: Dietary carotenoids are precursors for the production of retinoids, which participate in many essential processes, including the formation of the photopigment rhodopsin. Despite the importance of conversion of carotenoids to vitamin A (all-trans-retinol), many questions remain concerning the mechanisms that promote this process, including the uptake of carotenoids. We use the Drosophila visual system as a genetic model to study retinoid formation from beta-carotene. In a screen for mutations that affect the biosynthesis of rhodopsin, we identified a class B scavenger receptor, SANTA MARIA. We demonstrate that SANTA MARIA functions upstream of vitamin A formation in neurons and glia, which are outside of the retina. The protein is coexpressed and functionally coupled with the beta, beta-car

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2064138 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature