Photo-products of retinal pigment epithelial bisretinoids react with cellular thiols
2011

How Glutathione Interacts with Retinal Pigment Compounds

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yoon Kee Dong, Yamamoto Kazunori, Zhou Jilin, Sparrow Janet R.

Primary Institution: Columbia University

Hypothesis

Can glutathione neutralize photodegradation products of bisretinoids like A2E?

Conclusion

Glutathione can reduce and form adducts with photooxidized A2E, potentially limiting its reactivity and aiding in its elimination from cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • GSH can donate hydrogen atoms to photooxidized A2E.
  • Adducts formed noncatalytically and by glutathione-S-transferase mediation.
  • Reduction by GSH likely limits the reactivity of bisretinoid photoproducts.

Takeaway

This study shows that a substance called glutathione can help protect eye cells from damage caused by light exposure to certain compounds that build up in the eye.

Methodology

The study used cell-free assays and mass spectrometry to measure the interaction between glutathione and photooxidized A2E.

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