Retinal binding protein 3 (RBP3) is a major component of the interphotoreceptor matrix (the space between the photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)) and mediates the interaction between rods, cones, RPE and Müller cells by shuttling retinoids and potentially lipids. Mammahan RBP3 is a single polypeptide having four modules, and each consists of -300 amino acids. In our proposed project, we will determine the structure of RBP3 protein at a high resolution to understand the role of the cooperativity mechanism and open the possibility of structure-based drug design. Along with this, we plan to use the method Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) to get more structural information about the protein with different ligand concentrations. The cooperativity mechanism and effect of the ligands on the protein are unknown, and in this way, we can get the answer to some unsolved queries. Apart from this, there is an anti-correlation between amounts of RBP3 protein and the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and this protein could be a beneficial biomarker in the field of diabetic retinopathy. The quantification, structural determination and potential monitorization of RBP3 in DR, and at an early stage, could be a ray of hope in the development of new therapeutic approaches for DR
About the speaker
Vineeta Kaushik was invited to present an ICTER seminar on Structural elucidation of Retinal binding protein 3: One step closer to unfolding the effect of ligands on the conformation of the protein.
