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Abstract #25164 Published in IGR 12-1
Elevated albumin in retinas of monkeys with experimental glaucoma
Carter-Dawson L; Zhang Y; Harwerth RS; Rojas R; Dash P; Zhao XC; Woldemussie E; Ruiz G; Chuang A; Dubinsky WPInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2010; 51: 952-959
PURPOSE: To establish the identity of a prominent protein, approximately 70 kDa, that is markedly increased in the retina of monkeys with experimental glaucoma compared with the fellow control retina, the relationship to glaucoma severity, and its localization in the retina. METHODS: Retinal extracts were subjected to 2-D gel electrophoresis to identify differentially expressed proteins. Purified peptides from the abundant 70 kDa protein were analyzed and identified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) separation, and collision-induced dissociation sequencing. Protein identity was performed on MASCOT (Matrix Science, Boston, MA) and confirmed by Western blot. The relationship between the increase in this protein and glaucoma severity was investigated by regression analyses. Protein localization in retina was evaluated by immunohistochemistry with confocal imaging. RESULTS: The abundant protein was identified as Macaca mulatta serum albumin precursor (67 kDa) from eight non-overlapping proteolytic fragments, and the identity was confirmed by Western blot. The average increase in retinal albumin content was 2.3 fold (P = 0.015). In glaucoma eyes, albumin was localized to some neurons of the inner nuclear layer, in the inner plexiform layer, and along the vitreal surface, but it was only found in blood vessels in control retinas. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin is the abundant protein found in the glaucomatous monkey retinas. The increased albumin is primarily localized to the inner retina where oxidative damage associated with experimental glaucoma is known to be prominent. Since albumin is a major antioxidant, the increase of albumin in the retinas of eyes with experimental glaucoma may serve to protect the retina against oxidative damage.
Richard S. Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. louvenia.carter-dawson@uth.tmc.edu
Classification:
5.2 Primates (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
3.5 Molecular biology incl. SiRNA (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
