The amino acid transporter SLC36A4 regulates the amino acid pool in retinal pigmented epithelial cells and mediates the mechanistic target of rapamycin, complex 1 signaling.

ABSTRACT: The dry (nonneovascular) form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, has few, if any, treatment options at present. It is characterized by early accumulation of cellular waste products in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE); rejuvenating impaired lysosome function in RPE is a well-justified target for treatment. It is now clear that amino acids and vacuolar-type H⁺ -ATPase (V-ATPase) regulate the mechanistic target of rapamycin, complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in lysosomes. Here, we provide evidence for the first time that the amino acid transporter SLC36A4/proton-dependent amino acid transporter (PAT4) regulates the amino acid pool in the lysosomes of RPE. In Cryba1 (gene encoding βA3/A1-crystallin) KO (knockout) mice, where PAT4

SUBMITTER: Shang P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5334531 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature