Metabolic Features of Mouse and Human Retinas: Rods versus Cones, Macula versus Periphery, Retina versus RPE
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Photoreceptors, especially cones, which are enriched in the human macula, have high energy demands, making them vulnerable to metabolic stress. Metabolic dysfunction of photoreceptors and their supporting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an important underlying cause of degenerative retinal diseases. However, how cones and the macula support their exorbitant metabolic demand and communicate with RPE is unclear. By profiling metabolite uptake and release and analyzing metabolic genes, we have found cone-rich retinas and human macula share specific metabolic features with upregulated pathways in pyruvate metabolism, mitochondrial TCA cycle, and lipid synthesis. Human neural retina and RPE have distinct but complementary metabolic features. Retinal metabolism centers on NADH production and neurotransmitter biosynthesis. The retina needs aspartate to sustain its aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism. RPE metabolism is directed toward NADPH production and biosynthesis of acetyl-rich metabolites, serine, and others. RPE consumes multiple nutrients, including proline, to produce metabolites for the retina.
Source: iScience
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Funders: University of Washington, Retina Research Foundation, Lowy Medical Research Institute, West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Health and Medical Research Council, Sydney Medical School, National Eye Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Awards: G2557032632, G4064042504, Modeling CRB1-related retinal disease using 3-D human retinal organoids, Targeting the de novo serine synthesis pathway in macular disease, Human RPE metabolism and metabolite transport, G9000106503, G9000227321, West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE), West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute: A Statewide Organization Building Research Excellence and Engaging Communities to Improve Health, Gene regulation of retinal cell differentiation
OpenAlex ID: W3093050488