Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Cells require the ability to properly sort and traffic proteins to their correct subcellular destination.The production of new proteins must be balanced by the turnover of old and damaged proteins.A breakdown in this process is detrimental to any cell; however highly polarized, non-proliferating cells, such as neurons, are particularly vulnerable to defects in protein turnover.Photoreceptors are highly polarized, specialized neurons that have high protein trafficking demands.At one end of the photoreceptor is the outer segment; the site of photon detection and phototransduction.The outer segment requires a constant supply of new proteins and membranes to maintain proper function.At the opposite end of the cell is the site of synaptic transmission.The synapse also undergoes large amounts of membrane trafficking and turnover due to the release of neurotransmitter and subsequent synaptic vesicle recycling.Although both ends of the photoreceptor require efficient membrane trafficking, the majority of studies of protein trafficking in photoreceptors have focused on the outer segment.In addition, photoreceptors do not need to degrade old and damaged proteins and membranes from the outer segment; the retinal pigment epithelium phagocytoses outer segment discs.
Author: Ashley A. George
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2566305172