Transcriptional regulation of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein in the retinal pigment epithelium. A role for the photoreceptor consensus element

The downregulation of HSP90-controlled CRALBP expression is associated with age-related vision attenuation

The dysfunction of CRALBP, a key regulator of the visual cycle, is associated with retinitis punctata albescens characterized by night vision loss and retinal degeneration. In this paper, we find that the expression of CRALBP is regulated by heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Inhibition of HSP90α or HSP90β expression by using the CRISPR-Cas9 technology downregulates CRALBP's mRNA and protein expression in ARPE-19 cells by triggering the degradation of transcription factor SP1 in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. SP1 can bind to CRALBP's promoter, and inhibition of SP1 by its inhibitor plicamycin or siRNA downregulates CRALBP's mRNA expression. In the zebrafish, inhibition of HSP90 by the intraperitoneal injection of IPI504 reduces the thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer and Rlbp1b mRNA expression. Interestingly, the expression of HSP90, SP1, and CRALBP is correlatedly downregulated in the senescent ARPE-19 and Pig primary RPE cells in vitro and in the aged zebrafish and mouse retinal tissues in vivo. The aged mice exhibit the low night adaption activity. Taken together, these data indicate that the HSP90-SP1 is a novel regulatory axis of CRALBP transcriptional expression in RPE cells. The age-mediated downregulation of the HSP90-SP1-CRALBP axis is a potential etiology for the night vision reduction in senior people.

The newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) RPE65 promoter: molecular cloning, characterization and functional analysis

The adult newt has the ability to regenerate the neural retina following injury, a process achieved primarily by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To deliver exogenous genes to the RPE for genetic manipulation of regenerative events, we isolated the newt RPE65 promoter region by genome walking. First, we cloned the 2.8 kb RPE65 promoter from the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Sequence analysis revealed several conserved regulatory elements described previously in mouse and human RPE65 promoters. Second, having previously established an I-SceI-mediated transgenic protocol for the newt, we used it here to examine the -657 bp proximal promoter of RPE65. The promoter assay used with F0 transgenic newts confirmed transgene expression of mCherry fluorescent protein in the RPE. Using bioinformatic tools and the TRANSFAC database, we identified a 340 bp CpG island located between -635 and -296 bp in the promoter; this region contains response elements for the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor known as MITF (CACGTG, CATGTG), and E-boxes (CANNTG). Sex-determining region box 9 (or SOX9) response element previously reported in the regulation of RPE genes (including RPE65) was also identified in the newt RPE65 promoter. Third, we identified DNA motif boxes in the newt RPE65 promoter that are conserved among other vertebrates. The newt RPE65 promoter is an invaluable tool for site-specific delivery of exogenous genes or genetic manipulation systems for the study of retinal regeneration in this animal.

Vitamin A dimers trigger the protracted death of retinal pigment epithelium cells

Cellular events responsible for the initiation of major neurodegenerative disorders of the eye leading to blindness, including age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt and Best diseases, are poorly understood. Accumulation of vitamin A dimers, such as N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), is one of the earliest measurable events preceding retinal degeneration. However, the extent to which these dimers contribute to tissue degeneration is not clear. To determine if A2E could trigger morphological changes associated with the degenerating RPE and subsequent cell death, we evaluated its toxicity to cultured human RPE cells (ARPE-19). We show that A2E triggered the accumulation of debris followed by a protracted death. A2E was up to ≈ 14-fold more toxic than its precursor, retinaldehyde. Measurements reveal that the concentration of A2E in the aged human eye could exceed the concentration of all other retinoids, opening the possibility of A2E-triggered cell death by several reported mechanisms. Findings suggest that accumulation of vitamin A dimers such as A2E in the human eye might be responsible for the formation of ubiquitous RPE debris, an early indication of retinal degeneration, and that preventing or reducing the accumulation of vitamin A dimers is a prudent strategy to prevent blindness.

Transcription factor SOX9 plays a key role in the regulation of visual cycle gene expression in the retinal pigment epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) performs specialized functions to support retinal photoreceptors, including regeneration of the visual chromophore. Enzymes and carrier proteins in the visual cycle function sequentially to regenerate and continuously supply 11-cis-retinal to retinal photoreceptor cells. However, it is unknown how the expression of the visual cycle genes is coordinated at the transcriptional level. Here, we show that the proximal upstream regions of six visual cycle genes contain chromatin-accessible sex-determining region Y box (SOX) binding sites, that SOX9 and LIM homeobox 2 (LHX2) are coexpressed in the nuclei of mature RPE cells, and that SOX9 acts synergistically with orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) to activate the RPE65 and retinaldehyde binding protein 1 (RLBP1) promoters and acts synergistically with LHX2 to activate the retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) promoter. ChIP reveals that SOX9 and OTX2 bind to the promoter regions of RPE65, RLBP1, and RGR and that LHX2 binds to those of RPE65 and RGR in bovine RPE. ChIP with human fetal RPE cells shows that SOX9 and OTX2 also bind to the human RPE65, RLBP1, and RGR promoters. Conditional inactivation of Sox9 in mouse RPE results in reduced expression of several visual cycle genes, most dramatically Rpe65 and Rgr. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis predicts that multiple common microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate visual cycle genes, and cotransfection of miRNA mimics with luciferase reporter constructs validated some of the predicted miRNAs. These results implicate SOX9 as a key regulator of visual cycle genes, reveal for the first time the functional role of LHX2 in the RPE, and suggest the possible regulation of visual cycle genes by common miRNAs.

The Immunology of Glaucoma

The presence of specific antibodies and T cells that are specific in patients with glaucoma supports the idea that the immune system may play an important role in the initiation and/or sustainment of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, at least in some patients. At present, our understanding regarding immunological mechanisms associated with glaucomatous optic neuropathy is far from satisfactory. In this review, we examined evidence suggesting involvement of autoimmune responses in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. These include detection of autoantibodies and T cells and expression of cytokines and stress proteins in patients with glaucoma. Although immune responses are thought to be detrimental, some responses may exert a protective effect against neurodegenerative damage. Likely, the balance between positive and negative regulators determines the survival or demise of cells. It is vital that research continues to elucidate the roles of the immune system in glaucomatous neurodegeneration and the possibility of alternative modalities of treatment. These studies may also provide valuable molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and identification of a specific cohort of patients with glaucoma, that is, those with normal-tension glaucoma.

Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) is a direct downstream target of transcription factor Pax6

BACKGROUND

Transcription factor Pax6 plays an essential role in the expression of other transcription factors, cell adhesion molecules and is crucial for neurogenesis in the developing forebrain. Analysis of gene expression profiles through microarray experiments in Pax6 mutants allowed us to focus on CRALBP, one of the many genes that were downregulated.

METHODS

We studied the expression of CRALBP in wt and Pax6-/- mutants through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assay were performed to show the regulatory role of Pax6 on CRALBP promoter.

RESULTS

RNA and protein expression data show that CRALBP expression was completely abolished in Pax6 mutants. In vivo binding assays and in vitro reporter assays indicate that Pax6 not only binds the promoter of CRALBP but also positively regulates protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides evidence supporting that CRALBP is a direct downstream target of Pax6. However, the role of CRALBP in the cortex is yet to be elucidated.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Pax6 is a marker expressed on neural stem cells and progenitor cells. Understanding Pax6-dependent gene regulatory mechanisms unravels signaling cascades that occur early during development.

A 350 bp region of the proximal promoter of Rds drives cell-type specific gene expression

RDS (retinal degeneration slow) is a photoreceptor-specific tetraspanin protein required for the biogenesis and maintenance of rod and cone outer segments. Mutations in the Rds gene are associated with multiple forms of rod- and cone-dominant retinal degeneration. To gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying the regulation of this gene, the identification of regulatory sequences within the promoter of Rds was undertaken. A 3.5 kb fragment of the 5' flanking region of the mouse Rds gene was isolated and binding sites for Crx, Otx2, Nr2e3, RXR family members, Mef2C, Esrrb, NF1, AP1, and SP1 in addition to several E-boxes, GC-boxes and GAGA-boxes were identified. Crx binding sequences were conserved in all mammalian species examined. Truncation expression analysis of the Rds promoter region in Y-79 retinoblastoma cells showed maximal activity in the 350 bp proximal promoter region. We also show that inclusion of more distal fragments reduced promoter activity to the basal level, and that the promoter activities are cell-type and direction specific. Co-transfection with Nrl increased promoter activity, suggesting that this gene positively regulates Rds expression. Based on these findings, a relatively small fragment of the Rds promoter may be useful in future gene transfer studies to drive gene expression in photoreceptors.

Analysis of autoantibodies against human retinal antigens in sera of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to show that complex antibody patterns against retinal antigens in sera of patients with glaucoma, found in previous studies, are autoantibodies against human antigens.

METHODS

Sera of 179 patients were collected at the Department of Ophthalmology (University of Mainz, Germany): non-glaucomatous control patients (n=45), primary open-angle glaucoma (n=45), ocular hypertension (n=44), and normal tension glaucoma patients (n=45). The sera were tested against Western blots of human retinal antigens. IgG antibody patterns were analyzed by multivariate statistical techniques, and some significant antigens were identified by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

All subjects, even healthy ones, showed different and complex banding patterns. Glaucoma groups showed up- and down-regulations of antibody reactivities compared to the control group. The multivariate analysis of discriminance found significant differences (p<0.05) in IgG antibody profiles between glaucoma groups, ocular hypertension, and healthy subjects against human retinal antigens. The antigen band at 12 kDa was identified as Histone H4 via mass spectrometry, the 29 kDa band as cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein, and one at 49 kDa as retinal S-antigen.

CONCLUSIONS

Using human retinal antigen, we demonstrated that complex autoantibody patterns exist in sera of patients with glaucoma. Large correlations with previous studies using bovine retinal antigens could be seen.

VMD2 promoter requires two proximal E-box sites for its activity in vivo and is regulated by the MITF-TFE family

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is crucial for the function and survival of retinal photoreceptors. VMD2 encodes bestrophin, an oligomeric chloride channel that is preferentially expressed in the RPE and, when mutated, causes Best macular dystrophy. Previously, we defined the VMD2 upstream region from -253 to +38 bp as being sufficient to direct RPE-specific expression in the eye, and we suggested microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) as a possible positive regulator. Here we show that in transgenic mice the -154 to +38 bp region is sufficient for RPE expression, and mutation of two E-boxes, 1 and 2, within this region leads to loss of promoter activity. A yeast one-hybrid screen using bait containing E-box 1 identified clones encoding MITF, TFE3, and TFEB, and chromatin immunoprecipitation with antibodies against these proteins enriched the VMD2 proximal promoter. Analysis using in vivo electroporation with constructs containing mutation of each E-box indicated that expression in native RPE requires both E-boxes, yet in vitro DNA binding studies suggested that MITF binds well to E-box 1 but only minimally to E-box 2. MITF knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cell culture revealed a strong correlation between MITF and VMD2 mRNA levels. Sequential transfection of a luciferase construct with expression vectors following MITF siRNA revealed that TFE3 and TFEB can also transactivate the VMD2 promoter. Taken together, we suggest that VMD2 is regulated by the MITF-TFE family through two E-boxes, with E-box 1 required for a direct interaction of MITF-TFE factors and E-box 2 for binding of the as yet unidentified factor(s).

The bovine iris-ciliary epithelium expresses components of rod phototransduction

Earlier studies have documented that the iris in lower vertebrates is photosensitive. In the present work, we examined whether the bovine iris which exhibits a common embryonic origin with the ocular ciliary epithelium and the neural retina, expresses components of phototransduction. By Northern blot and RT-PCR amplification we detected in the iris, rhodopsin, rhodopsin kinase and arrestin transcripts and DNA products, respectively, of the same size as in the retina. By Western blot, antibodies to rhodopsin, rhodopsin kinase and arrestin detected low levels of protein with similar molecular masses as in the retina. Transient transfections of bovine iris cells in vitro with rhodopsin promoter-luciferase-reporter constructs (p130-Luc, p176-Luc, 1225-Luc and p2000-Luc) containing proximal and distal promoter elements led to a significant stimulation of promoter activity over the basal activity. In particular, the construct p225-Luc containing proximal promoter elements upstream of the transcription start site (-225 to +70 bp) led to 3.1-fold stimulation of activity over p176-Luc, 2.1-fold over p130 or p2000-Luc and 190-fold over the basal activity. These results suggested that the bovine iris cells contain factors that could either stimulate or attenuate rhodopsin transcription. The data also supported the view that components associated with non-visual phototransduction are expressed in extraretinal sites including the ciliary epithelium and the iris.

Analysis of the VMD2 Promoter and Implication of E-box Binding Factors in Its Regulation

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is crucial for the normal development and function of retinal photo-receptors, and mutations in several genes that are preferentially expressed in the RPE have been shown to cause retinal degeneration. We analyzed the 5'-up-stream region of human VMD2, a gene that is preferentially expressed in the RPE and, when mutated, causes Best macular dystrophy. Transgenic mouse studies with VMD2 promoter/lacZ constructs demonstrated that a-253 to +38 bp fragment is sufficient to direct RPE-specific expression in the eye. Transient transfection assays using the D407 human RPE cell line with VMD2 promoter/luciferase reporter constructs identified two positive regulatory regions, -585 to -541 bp for high level expression and -56 to -42 bp for low level expression. Mutation of a canonical E-box located in the -56 to -42 bp region greatly diminished luciferase expression in D407 cells and abolished the bands shifted with bovine RPE nuclear extract in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Independently a candidate approach was used to select microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) for testing because it is expressed in the RPE and associated with RPE abnormalities when mutated. MITF-M significantly increased luciferase expression in D407 cells in an E-box-dependent manner. These studies define the VMD2 promoter region sufficient to drive RPE-specific expression in the eye, identify positive regulatory regions in vitro, and suggest that MITF as well as other E-box binding factors may act as positive regulators of VMD2 expression.

CRALBP transcriptional regulation in ciliary epithelial, retinal Müller and retinal pigment epithelial cells

Cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP) functions in the visual cycle and mutations in the RLBP1 gene can lead to blindness. RLBP1 promoter analyses have been pursued in vitro as an approach to deciphering the mechanism controlling cell-specific expression of CRALBP. Reporter activity of wildtype and mutant RLBP1 promoter constructs suggest that CRALBP transcriptional regulation may be similar in the ciliary epithelium (CE) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) but different in Müller cells. Results in RPE cells refine the location of an RLBP1 enhancer element to within -1826 to -1749 bp and a repressor element to within -702 to -635 bp.

Proteome survey of proliferating and differentiating rat RPE-J cells

The suitability of the rat derived SV-40T immortalized RPE-J cell line for identifying proteome changes associated with RPE differentiation was evaluated by surveying changes in protein expression levels. Rat RPE-J cells were induced to undergo differentiation in culture by growth at the nonpermissive temperature of 40 degrees C in the presence of retinoic acid. Total proteins were extracted from cells grown under proliferating or differentiating conditions and separated by 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis. Gel spots were excised, digested in situ with trypsin, and analysed by mass spectrometry to identify proteins. Computer assisted image analysis was used to align gel patterns and quantify spot intensities. Neither proliferating nor differentiating RPE-J cell cultures exhibited detectable levels of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein, RPE65, 11- cis -retinol dehydrogenase or lecithin retinol acyl transferase, suggesting that RPE-J cells are not appropriate for visual cycle studies. About 18% of the 61 identified proteins appear to change expression levels with the cell growth conditions. Seven proteins appeared to be up-regulated and four proteins down-regulated when the cells were changed from proliferating to differentiating culture conditions. The majority of the apparent changes in protein expression levels were associated with stress response genes. Significant changes in the apparent mass and charge properties of proteins were also observed and for select proteins, the modifications appeared to be correlated with cell growth conditions. The results demonstrate that proteome differences in RPE-J cells associated with growth conditions can be identified and support the suitability of RPE-J cells for more targeted and/or more global proteome analysis of RPE differentiation.

Molecular evidence that human ocular ciliary epithelium expresses components involved in phototransduction

Here we report the expression, in the human ocular ciliary epithelium and in a human nonpigmented (NPE) ciliary epithelial cell line, of genes usually restricted to cone and rod photoreceptor cells of the retina. By RT-PCR and DNA sequencing we identified the expression of rhodopsin and components linked to its deactivation, including rhodopsin kinase, recoverin, and visual arrestin. We also detected the expression of transducin (T-alpha), phosphodiesterase (PDE-alpha), and cGMP-gated channel alpha-subunits. Cultured NPE cells responded to treatment with phorbol ester by enhancing the expression of rhodopsin mRNA three- to fourfold. Indirect immunofluorescence of the intact ciliary epithelium with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rhodopsin, rhodopsin kinase, and visual arrestin revealed labeling preferentially restricted to the NPE cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of whole lysates from the pars plicata region of the human ciliary epithelium with MAbs demonstrated immunochemical cross-reactivity with proteins of molecular mass similar to rhodopsin (36 kDa), rhodopsin kinase (64 to 66 kDa), and arrestin (48-52 kDa) from the human retina. These results provide the first molecular evidence that components of a non-visual phototransduction pathway are expressed in the human ocular NPE ciliary epithelium, which may be linked to circadian entrainment tasks.

The upstream region of the Rpe65 gene confers retinal pigment epithelium-specific expression in vivo and in vitro and contains critical octamer and E-box binding sites

RPE65 is essential for all-trans- to 11-cis-retinoid isomerization, the hallmark reaction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here, we identify regulatory elements in the Rpe65 gene and demonstrate their functional relevance to Rpe65 gene expression. We show that the 5' flanking region of the mouse Rpe65 gene, like the human gene, lacks a canonical TATA box and consensus GC and CAAT boxes. The mouse and human genes do share several cis-acting elements, including an octamer, a nuclear factor one (NFI) site, and two E-box sites, suggesting a conserved mode of regulation. A mouse Rpe65 promoter/beta-galactosidase transgene containing bases -655 to +52 (TR4) of the mouse 5' flanking region was sufficient to direct high RPE-specific expression in transgenic mice, whereas shorter fragments (-297 to +52 or -188 to +52) generated only background activity. Furthermore, transient transfection of analogous TR4/luciferase constructs also directed high reporter activity in the human RPE cell line D407 but weak activity in the non-RPE cell lines HeLa, HepG2, and HS27. Functional binding of potential transcription factors to the octamer sequence, AP-4, and NFI sites was demonstrated by directed mutagenesis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and cross-linking. Mutations of these sites abolished binding and corresponding transcriptional activity and indicated that octamer and E-box transcription factors synergistically regulate the RPE65 promoter function. Thus, we have identified the regulatory region in the Rpe65 gene that accounts for tissue-specific expression in the RPE and found that octamer and E-box transcription factors play a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of the Rpe65 gene.

Genomic organization of the human rod photoreceptor cGMP-gated cation channel beta-subunit gene

We previously reported that the CNGB1 locus encoding the rod photoreceptor cGMP-gated channel beta-subunit is complex, comprising non-overlapping transcription units that give rise to at least six transcripts (Ardell, M.D., Aragon, I., Oliveira, L., Porche, G.E., Burke, E., Pittler, S.J., 1996. The beta subunit of human rod photoreceptor cGMP-gated cation channel is generated from a complex transcription unit. FEBS Lett. 389, 213-218). To further understand the transcriptional regulation of this extraordinarily complex locus, and to develop a screen for defects in the gene in patients with hereditary disease, we determined its genomic organization and DNA sequence. The CNGB1 locus consists of 33 exons, which span approximately 100kb of genomic DNA on chromosome 16. The beta-subunit comprises two domains, an N-terminal glutamic acid-rich segment (GARP), and a C-terminal channel-like portion. Two additional exons encoding a short GARP transcript and a truncated channel-like transcript have been identified. A major transcription start point was identified 79bp upstream of the initiator ATG. To begin analysis of the basis for the generation of multiple transcripts, and to identify promoters driving expression in retina, approximately 2.5kb of the upstream region were sequenced. Putative cis-elements, which can bind the retina-specific transcription factors Crx and Erx, were found immediately upstream of the transcription start point, and may be important for gene expression in this tissue. From our analysis, a model is reported to account for at least four of the retinal transcripts.

Both PCE-1/RX and OTX/CRX interactions are necessary for photoreceptor-specific gene expression

RX, a homeodomain-containing protein essential for proper eye development (Mathers, P. H. Grinberg, A., Mahon, K. A., and Jamrich, M. (1997) Nature 387, 603-607), binds to the photoreceptor conserved element-1 (PCE-1/Ret 1) in the photoreceptor cell-specific arrestin promoter and stimulates gene expression. RX is found in many retinal cell types including photoreceptor cells. Another homeodomain-containing protein, CRX, which binds to the OTX element to stimulate promoter activity, is found exclusively in photoreceptor cells (Chen, S., Wang, Q. L., Nie, Z., Sun, H., Lennon, G., Copeland, N. G., Gillbert, D. J. Jenkins, N. A., and Zack, D. J. (1997) Neuron 19, 1017-1030; Furukawa, T., Morrow, E. M., and Cepko, C. L. (1997) Cell 91, 531-541). Binding assay and cell culture studies indicate that both PCE-1 and OTX elements and at least two different regulatory factors RX and CRX are necessary for high level, photoreceptor cell-restricted gene expression. Thus, photoreceptor specificity can be achieved by multiple promoter elements interacting with a combination of both photoreceptor-specific regulatory factors and factors present in closely related cell lineages.

Retina-specific nuclear receptor: A potential regulator of cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein expressed in retinal pigment epithelium and Müller glial cells

In an effort to identify nuclear receptors important in retinal disease, we screened a retina cDNA library for nuclear receptors. Here we describe the identification of a retina-specific nuclear receptor (RNR) from both human and mouse. Human RNR is a splice variant of the recently published photoreceptor cell-specific nuclear receptor [Kobayashi, M., Takezawa, S., Hara, K., Yu, R. T., Umesono, Y., Agata, K., Taniwaki, M., Yasuda, K. & Umesono, K. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 4814-4819] whereas the mouse RNR is a mouse ortholog. Northern blot and reverse transcription-PCR analyses of human mRNA samples demonstrate that RNR is expressed exclusively in the retina, with transcripts of approximately 7.5 kb, approximately 3.0 kb, and approximately 2.3 kb by Northern blot analysis. In situ hybridization with multiple probes on both primate and mouse eye sections demonstrates that RNR is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium and in Müller glial cells. By using the Gal4 chimeric receptor/reporter cotransfection system, the ligand binding domain of RNR was found to repress transcriptional activity in the absence of exogenous ligand. Gel mobility shift assays revealed that RNR can interact with the promoter of the cellular retinaldehyde binding protein gene in the presence of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and/or retinoid X receptor (RXR). These data raise the possibility that RNR acts to regulate the visual cycle through its interaction with cellular retinaldehyde binding protein and therefore may be a target for retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein ligand interactions. Gln-210 and Lys-221 are in the retinoid binding pocket

Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) carries 11-cis-retinal and/or 11-cis-retinol as endogenous ligands in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller cells of the retina and has been linked with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Ligand interactions determine the physiological role of CRALBP in the RPE where the protein is thought to function as a substrate carrier for 11-cis-retinol dehydrogenase in the synthesis of 11-cis-retinal for visual pigment regeneration. However, CRALBP is also present in optic nerve and brain where its natural ligand and function are not yet known. We have characterized the interactions of retinoids with native bovine CRALBP, human recombinant CRALBP (rCRALBP) and five mutant rCRALBPs. Efforts to trap and/or identify a Schiff base in the dark, under a variety of reducing, denaturing, and pH conditions were unsuccessful, suggesting the lack of covalent interactions between CRALBP and retinoid. Buried and solvent-exposed lysine residues were identified in bovine CRALBP by reductive methylation of the holoprotein followed by denaturation and reaction with [3H]acetic anhydride. Radioactive lysine residues were identified by Edman degradation and electrospray mass spectrometry following proteolysis and purification of modified peptides. Human rCRALBP mutants K152A, K221A, and K294A were prepared to investigate possible retinoid interactions with buried or partially buried lysines. Two other rCRALBP mutants, I162V and Q210R, were also prepared to identify substitutions altering the retinoid binding properties of a random mutant. The structures of all the mutants were verified by amino acid and mass spectral analyses and retinoid binding properties evaluated by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. All of the mutants bound 11-cis-retinal essentially like the wild type protein, indicating that the proteins were not grossly misfolded. Three of the mutants bound 9-cis-retinal like the wild type protein; however, Q210R and K221A bound less than stoichiometric amounts of the 9-cis-isomer and exhibited lower affinity for this retinoid relative to wild type rCRALBP. Residues Gln-210 and Lys-221 are located within a region of CRALBP exhibiting sequence homology with the ligand binding cavity of yeast phosphatidylinositol-transfer protein. The data implicate Gln-210 and Lys-221 as components of the CRALBP retinoid binding cavity and are discussed in the context of ligand interactions in structurally or functionally related proteins with known crystallographic structures.