Kynurenic acid and kynurenine aminotransferases in retinal aging and neurodegeneration. 2011

Robert Rejdak, and Anselm Junemann, and Paweł Grieb, and Sebastian Thaler, and Frank Schuettauf, and Tomasz Chorągiewicz, and Tomasz Zarnowski, and Waldemar A Turski, and Eberhart Zrenner
Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Roentgenweg 11, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. rrejdak@yahoo.com

The kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) KAT I and KAT II are pivotal to the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), the only known endogenous glutamate receptor antagonist and neuroprotectant. KAT I and II have been found in avian, rodent, and human retina. Expression of KAT I in Müller cell endfeet and KAT II in retinal ganglion cells has been documented. Developmental changes in KAT expression and KYNA concentration in the avian and rodent retina have also been found. Studies of retinal neurodegeneration have shown alterations in KYNA synthesis in the retina in response to retinal ganglion cell loss. In DBA/2J mice, a model of ocular hypertension, an age-dependent decrease of retinal KYNA and KATs was found. In the corpora amylacea in the human retina intensive KAT I and II immunoreactivity was demonstrated. In summary, these findings point to the potential involvement of KYNA in the mechanisms of retinal aging and neurodegeneration.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007736 Kynurenic Acid A broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonist used as a research tool. Kynurenate,Acid, Kynurenic
D007737 Kynurenine A metabolite of the essential amino acid tryptophan metabolized via the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway.
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D012162 Retinal Degeneration A retrogressive pathological change in the retina, focal or generalized, caused by genetic defects, inflammation, trauma, vascular disease, or aging. Degeneration affecting predominantly the macula lutea of the retina is MACULAR DEGENERATION. (Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p304) Degeneration, Retinal,Degenerations, Retinal,Retinal Degenerations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000637 Transaminases A subclass of enzymes of the transferase class that catalyze the transfer of an amino group from a donor (generally an amino acid) to an acceptor (generally a 2-keto acid). Most of these enzymes are pyridoxyl phosphate proteins. (Dorland, 28th ed) EC 2.6.1. Aminotransferase,Aminotransferases,Transaminase
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012165 Retinal Ganglion Cells Neurons of the innermost layer of the retina, the internal plexiform layer. They are of variable sizes and shapes, and their axons project via the OPTIC NERVE to the brain. A small subset of these cells act as photoreceptors with projections to the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS, the center for regulating CIRCADIAN RHYTHM. Cell, Retinal Ganglion,Cells, Retinal Ganglion,Ganglion Cell, Retinal,Ganglion Cells, Retinal,Retinal Ganglion Cell

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