Biochemistry of Vision provides information pertinent to vision biochemistry. This book discusses the biochemical information derived primarily from studies on nonocular tissues and describes the biochemical reactions related to the function of the retina and pigmented epithelium.
Organized into 16 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the visual system and the structure of the vertebrate eye. The text then proceeds with a discussion of photoreceptor, which has a highly membranous structure. Other chapters cover a brief discussion of several topics, including biomembranes, photochemistry, spectral properties of retinal isomers, and the photochemical properties of the chromophore of rhodopsin. This book discusses as well the properties and intramembrane disposition of rhodopsin. The final chapter deals with the biochemistry of photoreceptor disorders and summarizes the basic knowledge on neurotransmitters and electrophysiology in the retina.
This book is intended for ophthalmologists and medical students who are interested in the molecular aspects of photoreceptor diseases.

Contenu

Preface
1 Structure of the Eye
I. Transparent Tissues
II. Uvea
III. Retina
IV. Differentiation of Ocular Tissues
References
2 Properties of Biomembranes
I. Lipids
II. Proteins
III. Fluidity
IV. Protein-Protein Interaction
V. Liposomes
References
3 Rod Outer Segment Membranes
I. The Fluid Nature of Rod Membranes
II. Disposition of Rhodopsin in the Membrane
III. Phospholipids of Rod Membranes
References
4 Photochemistry
I. Energy of Photons
II. Spin States of Electrons
III. Electronic Orbitals and Energy States
IV. Photochemical Energy Transfer
V. Absorption Spectrum and Absorption
Parameters
References
5 Structure and Spectral Properties of Retinal Isomers
I. Isomerism
II. Spectroscopy
References
6 Chromophore of Rhodopsin
I. Retinal
II. Spectral Properties of Rhodopsin
References
7 Intermediates Formed by Photobleaching of Visual Pigments
I. Hypsorhodopsin
II. Bathorhodopsin
III. Lumirhodopsin
IV. Metarhodopsins
V. Energetics
VI. lodopsin
References
8 Purification and Properties of Rhodopsin
I. Extraction and Purification of Rhodopsin
II. Preparation of Rod Outer Segments and Rod Disks
III. Chemical Properties of Rhodopsin
IV. Physical Properties
References
9 Metabolism and Functions of Retinol and Its Derivatives
I. Biosynthesis of Retinol
II. Transport of Retinol (Retinol Binding Protein)
III. Retinol Binding Protein within the Cell
IV. Functions of Retinol and Its Derivatives
References
10 Metabolism of the Retina and Pigmented Epithelium
I. Vascular Systems in the Eye
II. Metabolism of the Pigmented Epithelium
III. Metabolism of the Retina
References
11 Bacteriorhodopsin and Halorhodopsin
I. Bacteriorhodopsin
II. Halorhodopsin
III. Evolutionary Significance
References
12 Cell Biology of Photoreceptor Membranes
I. Synthesis and Breakdown of Photoreceptor Membranes
II. Assembly of Cell Membranes
III. Assembly of Disk Membrane
References
13 Cellular Receptors and Signal Transmission
I. General Mechanisms of Signal Transmission
II. Other Mechanisms
References
14 Electrophysiology and Neurotransmitters
I. Basic Aspects
II. Retinal Neurons
III. Neurotransmitters in the Nervous System
IV. Neurotransmitters in the Retina
References
15 Visual Excitation
I. Ca2+ Model
II. Biochemical Model
References
16 Biochemistry of Photoreceptor Disorders
I. Retinitis Pigmentosa
II. Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina
III. Uveoretinal Autoimmune Diseases
References
Index