Rhodopsin Oligomerization and Aggregation

J Membr Biol. 2019 Oct;252(4-5):413-423. doi: 10.1007/s00232-019-00078-1. Epub 2019 Jul 8.

Abstract

Rhodopsin is the light receptor in photoreceptor cells of the retina and a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor. Two types of quaternary structures can be adopted by rhodopsin. If rhodopsin folds and attains a proper tertiary structure, it can then form oligomers and nanodomains within the photoreceptor cell membrane. In contrast, if rhodopsin misfolds, it cannot progress through the biosynthetic pathway and instead will form aggregates that can cause retinal degenerative disease. In this review, emerging views are highlighted on the supramolecular organization of rhodopsin within the membrane of photoreceptor cells and the aggregation of rhodopsin that can lead to retinal degeneration.

Keywords: G protein-coupled receptor; Photoreceptor cell; Phototransduction; Quaternary structure; Retina; Retinal degeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane* / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane* / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate* / chemistry
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate* / metabolism
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate* / pathology
  • Protein Domains
  • Protein Folding*
  • Retinal Degeneration* / metabolism
  • Retinal Degeneration* / pathology
  • Rhodopsin* / chemistry
  • Rhodopsin* / metabolism

Substances

  • Rhodopsin