MINI-REVIEW: Rhodopsin, Zn²⁺, and Retinitis Pigmentosa: a Short Tale Requiring Continuation

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S. A. Shukolyukov

Sechenov Institute for Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. M. Toreza 44, 194223 St. Petersburg, Russia; fax: (812) 552-3012; E-mail: tinycapers@mail.ru

Received February 6, 2013

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Understanding the relationship between the visual pigment rhodopsin and Zn²⁺ under normal conditions and in case of deficiency of the latter, as well as the realization of the role of Zn²⁺ in the development of the hereditary disease retinitis pigmentosa, have great theoretical and practical importance. In this mini-review, we briefly examine the basic experimental data on the role of Zn²⁺ in the retina and photoreceptors, binding of endogenous Zn²⁺ by zinc-binding sites of differing affinities in rhodopsin, the influence of the exogenous Zn²⁺ on various properties of rhodopsin, including its ability for phosphorylation and activation of transducin, as well as its thermal stability and regeneration. Conflicting results on the correlation between Zn²⁺ content in the blood serum and the development of retinitis pigmentosa in patients are demonstrated. The review also shows the success of the application of animal models of induced or hereditary retinal degeneration and discusses some of the methodological approaches and therapeutic techniques to relieve the manifestations of this disease.

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KEY WORDS: retina, rhodopsin, Zn²⁺, retinitis pigmentosa, degeneration and apoptosis of photoreceptors

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297913060114

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