11-cis Retinal is a chromophore that binds to opsin in the mammalian visual system as an inverse agonist forming the inactive conformation of rhodopsin. When 11-cis retinal absorbs a photon of light, it isomerizes to form all-trans retinal beginning the phototransduction cycle, which is the basis for mammalian vision. A G121L mutation in opsin allows 11-cis retinal to bind as a partial agonist and activate rhodopsin in the absence of light. In a moth model of carotenoid deficiency-induced low visual sensitivity, 11-cis retinal application to compound eyes restored visual sensitivity almost completely.
Apigenin-7-diglucuronide is a flavonoid glycoside that exists in an assortment of medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory or ant-oxidant activities. It protects retinas against bright light-induced photoreceptor degeneration through the inhibition of reti
ATWLPPR Peptide TFA is a selective neuropilin-1 inhibitor and inhibits VEGF165 binding to NRP-1. It has the potential in reducing the early retinal damage caused by diabetes.
9-cis-β-Carotene, a precursor of retinal, is cleaved by beta-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCMO1) to produce 9-cis-retinal. It inhibits photoreceptor degeneration and restores retinal function in vivo.