The Biosynthesis of A2E, a Fluorophore of Aging Retina, Involves the Formation of the Precursor, A2-PE, in the Photoreceptor Outer Segment Membrane

The autofluorescent lipofuscin that accumulates in retinal pigment epithelial cells with age may contribute to an age-related decline in cell function. The major lipofuscin fluorophore, A2E, is a pyridinium bisretinoid. We previously proposed that the biogenesis of A2E involves the following: (i)…