南大校友破解维生素A代谢之谜
近日，于美国加州大学洛杉玑分校任教的南开大学生物系1988届校友孙晖领导的课题组成功找到了帮助维生素A进入细胞的受体。这一成果解开了困扰科学家多少年的维生素A代谢之谜，将有助于开发治疗维生素A缺乏症、失明等病症的新方法。
其研究成果刊登在近日的《科学》杂志上。中美媒体相继对其进行了采访报道。据悉，科学家下一步的任务将是集中研究该受体的调控机理，以开发治疗维生素A缺乏症的新手段。
部分英文原文：
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Originally published in Science Express on 25 January 2007 |
A Membrane Receptor for Retinol Binding Protein Mediates Cellular Uptake of Vitamin A
Abstract
Vitamin A has diverse biological functions. It is transported in the blood as a complex with retinol binding protein (RBP), but the molecular mechanism by which vitamin A is absorbed by cells from the vitamin A–RBP complex is not clearly understood. We identified in bovine retinal pigment epithelium cells STRA6, a multitransmembrane domain protein, as a specific membrane receptor for RBP. STRA6 binds to RBP with high affinity and has robust vitamin A uptake activity from the vitamin A–RBP complex. It is widely expressed in embryonic development and in adult organ systems. The RBP receptor represents a major physiological mediator of cellular vitamin A uptake.
1 Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
2 Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 100 Stein Plaza, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
3 Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
4 Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
5 Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
6 Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Note added in proof: A recent human genetic study (41) found that mutations in the human STRA6 gene are associated with widespread birth defects in multiple organ systems. This is consistent with the expression of STRA6 and the diverse functions of vitamin A in embryonic development.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hsun@mednet.ucla.edu
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