Oxidative Stress Regulation and DJ-1 Function in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium: Implications for AMD

Abstract

In the retina, oxidative stress can initiate a cascade of events that ultimately leads to a focal loss of RPE cells and photoreceptors, a major contributing factor in geographic atrophy. Despite these implications, the molecular regulation of RPE oxidative metabolism under physiological and pathological conditions remains largely unknown. DJ-1 functions as an antioxidant, redox-sensitive molecular chaperone, and transcription regulator, which protected cells from oxidative stress. Here we discuss our progress toward characterization of the DJ-1 function in the protection of RPE to oxidative stress.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; DJ-1; Neurodegenerative diseases; Oxidative stress; Posttranslational modifications; Retinal pigment epithelium.