Disk membrane synthesis in rod and cone photoreceptors

脊椎动物的视网膜包含两种主要类型的感光器：视杆细胞和视锥细胞。在这些细胞中，光检测发生在称为外节(OS)的精细结构中，这是一种改良的感觉纤毛。在杆状结构中，OS由数千个被质膜包围的膜盘组成，并由连接的纤毛与细胞体分开。视盘含有高浓度的视紫红质。含有视紫红质的杆状盘膜在杆状OS的底部形成。每一个视盘都是相互隔离的；新的视盘逐渐向视网膜色素上皮移位，并在那里脱落。相反，锥形盘膜是彼此连续的。这一非凡过程背后的机制仍在调查中，两种相互竞争的原则模式和一些基本前提正在辩论中。主要的障碍是缺乏工具，以及对分子参与者缺乏洞察力。我们开发了研究盘膜生物合成的新技术，并将这些技术用于以下目标：

The vertebrate retina contains photoreceptors of two principle types: rods and cones. Within these cells, photodetection occurs in an elaborate structure called the outer segment (OS), a modified sensory cilium. In rods, the OS consists of thousands of membranous discs surrounded by a plasma membrane and separated from the cell body by a connecting cilium. The disks contain high concentrations of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin-containing rod disc membranes are created at the base of the rod OS. Each disc is isolated from the others; new discs are displaced gradually towards the retinal pigment epithelium, where they are shed. In contrast, cone disc membranes are continuous with each other. The mechanisms underlying this remarkable process are still under investigation, with two principle competing models, and some basic premises under debate. The chief obstacles are lack of tools, and lack of insight into molecular players. We have developed new techniques for studying disc membrane biosynthesis, and will use these techniques in the following Aims: