Retinyl ester storage particles (retinosomes) from the retinal pigmented epithelium resemble lipid droplets in other tissues.

ABSTRACT: Levels of many hydrophobic cellular substances are tightly regulated because of their potential cytotoxicity. These compounds tend to self-aggregate in cytoplasmic storage depots termed lipid droplets/bodies that have well defined structures that contain additional components, including cholesterol and various proteins. Hydrophobic substances in these structures become mobilized in a specific and regulated manner as dictated by cellular requirements. Retinal pigmented epithelial cells in the eye produce retinyl ester-containing lipid droplets named retinosomes. These esters are mobilized to replenish the visual chromophore, 11-cis-retinal, and their storage ensures proper visual function despite fluctuations in dietary vitamin A intake. But it remains unclear whether retinosomes are struct

SUBMITTER: Orban T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3089567 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature