Open AccessRhodopsin Oligomerization and Aggregation
Author(s) -
Paul S.H. Park
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of membrane biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.591
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1432-1424
pISSN - 0022-2631
DOI - 10.1007/s00232-019-00078-1
Subject(s) - rhodopsin , retinal , biophysics , photoreceptor cell , g protein coupled receptor , retina , chemistry , biology , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , neuroscience
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.