Abstract
The lysosome fractions from bovine retina, liver and retinal pigment epithelium were isolated by subcellular fractionation and compared with regard to the relative proportions of several hydrolytic enzyme activities. It was found that the lysosome fraction of the retinal pigment epithelium is more than three times as active as the lysosome fractions from other tissues in degrading the rhodopsin of photoreceptor (rod) cell outer segments. This proteolytic activity is attributable to a cathepsin D-like proteinase, and the possible biochemical bases for its increased activity in the pigment epithelium are discussed, including interaction with phospholipase A. It is suggested that the lysosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium are specialized in their content of hydrolytic enzymes for the degradation of photoreceptor cell outer segments.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.