SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION BY G PROTEINS IN THE RETINAL

描述（改编自申请人摘要）：吞噬作用和液体 视网膜色素上皮细胞（RPE）中的转运是必要的， 视觉处理和光感受器的存活。 长期 这项研究的目的是了解分子调控 这些过程。 申请人已经鉴定了一种新的G蛋白- 偶联受体，上皮神经肽受体（ENPR）。 其序列 与神经肽受体关系最为密切，尤其是 神经肽Y 编码ENPR的转录本存在于RPE中， 睫状体;它们不存在于其他组织中，除了 的大脑。 这种有限的表达模式表明ENPR 控制着一个独特的G蛋白偶联途径， RPE的功能。 申请人建议履行职能 为了测试新受体ENPR的特性， 配体活化调节RPE吞噬作用和体液假说 运输 这些研究将包括结构表征 人类基因，细胞和亚细胞定位分析， 天然配体、G蛋白伴侣的鉴定，以及第二种 使者 ENPR受体功能和信号转导的阐明 通路可以更好地理解ENPR激活是如何 转化为正常视网膜色素上皮细胞所需的生理反应， 光感受器的功能。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): Phagocytosis and fluid transport in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are necessary for visual processing and survival of the photoreceptors. The long-term goal of this proposed study is to understand the molecular regulation of these processes. The applicant has identified a novel G protein- coupled receptor, epithelium neuropeptide receptor (ENPR). Its sequence is most closely related to neuropeptide receptors, especially that for neuropeptide Y. Transcripts encoding ENPR are present in the RPE and ciliary body; they are not present in other tissues, with the exception of the brain. This restricted pattern of expression suggests that ENPR controls a unique G protein-coupled pathway important to the specialized functions of the RPE. The applicant proposes to perform functional characterization of the novel receptor ENPR in order to the test the hypothesis that ligand activation regulates RPE phagocytosis and fluid transport. These studies will include structural characterization of the human gene, analysis of cellular and subcellular localization, identification of the native ligand, G-protein partners, and second messengers. The elucidation of ENPR receptor function and signaling pathways may allow better understanding of how ENPR activation is translated into physiological responses of the RPE required for normal functioning of the photoreceptors.