Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Limited

Anna Romert

Ulf Eriksson

Andras Simon

Isolated membrane associated proteins which have a molecular weight of from about 30 kD to about 36 kilodaltons as determined by SDS-PAGE, are disclosed. The proteins have cis retinol dehydrogenase activity, such as 9, 11 or 13 cis retinol dehydrogenase activity, or cis activity at more than one position. Other trans-retinol dehydrogenases are also disclosed. Nucleic acid molecules which code for the proteins are also disclosed.

Isolated proteins having retinol dehydrogenase activity, and which associate with retinol binding receptors

In accordance with this invention, an RPE cell membrane associated protein which has a molecular weight of about 32 kd, as determined by SDS-PAGE, has been discovered. This protein, referred to an &ldquo;p32,&rdquo; forms an oligomeric protein complex with the previously characterized p63 protein, a component of the membrane receptor for RBP. A nucleic acid molecule which codes for the p32 protein has also been isolated and sequence analysis shows that the p32 protein belongs to the family of short chain alcohol dehydrogenases, and exhibits 11-cis retinol dehydrogenase activity, the enzyme which catalyzes conversion of 11-cis-retinol into 11-cis retinaldehyde.

Isolated nucleic acid molecule which codes for a 32 KDA protein having 11-CIS retinol dehydrogenase activity, and which associates with P63, a portion of a retinol binding protein receptor

In accordance with this invention, an RPE cell membrane associated protein which has a molecular weight of about 32 kd, as determined by SDS-PAGE, has been discovered. This protein, referred to an 'p32,' forms an oligomeric protein complex with the previously characterized p63 protein, a component of the membrane receptor for RBP. A nucleic acid molecule which codes for the p32 protein has also been isolated and sequence analysis shows that the p32 protein belongs to the family of short chain alcohol dehydrogenases, and exhibits 11-cis retinol dehydrogenase activity, the enzyme which catalyzes conversion of 11-cis-retinol into 11-cis retinaldehyde.

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Stockholm, Sweden

Anna Romert