Faculty Collaboration Database

Location of macular xanthophylls in the most vulnerable regions of photoreceptor outer-segment membranes. Arch Biochem Biophys 2010 Dec 01;504(1):61-6

Date

05/25/2010

Pubmed ID

20494651

Pubmed Central ID

PMC2957566

DOI

10.1016/j.abb.2010.05.015

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77957899318 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   60 Citations

Abstract

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two dietary carotenoids that compose the macular pigment of the primate retina. Another carotenoid, meso-zeaxanthin, is formed from lutein in the retina. A membrane location is one possible site where these dipolar, terminally dihydroxylated carotenoids, named macular xanthophylls, are accumulated in the nerve fibers and photoreceptor outer segments. Macular xanthophylls are oriented perpendicular to the membrane surface, which ensures their high solubility, stability, and significant effects on membrane properties. It was recently shown that they are selectively accumulated in membrane domains that contain unsaturated phospholipids, and thus are located in the most vulnerable regions of the membrane. This location is ideal if they are to act as lipid antioxidants, which is the most accepted mechanism through which lutein and zeaxanthin protect the retina from age-related macular degeneration. In this mini-review, we examine published data on carotenoid-membrane interactions and present our hypothesis that the specific orientation and location of macular xanthophylls maximize their protective action in membranes of the eye retina.

Author List

Subczynski WK, Wisniewska A, Widomska J

Author

Witold K. Subczynski PhD Professor in the Biophysics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Antioxidants
Cell Membrane
Humans
Macula Lutea
Retinal Photoreceptor Cell Outer Segment
Solubility
Xanthophylls