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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2007; 13(14): 2118-2124
Published online Apr 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i14.2118
Differences in expression of retinal proteins between diabetic and normal rats
Shang-Qing Liu, Jian Kang, Cheng-Jun Li, En-Jie Tang, Bin Wen, Rong Cai, Hui-Jun Yang
Shang-Qing Liu, Hui-Jun Yang, Department of Anatomy, School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Shang-Qing Liu, Jian Kang, Cheng-Jun Li, En-Jie Tang, Bin Wen, Rong Cai, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637007, Sichuan Province, China
Hui-Jun Yang, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Hui-Jun Yang, Department of Anatomy, School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 17 Renming Nan Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. proteomics@nsmc.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-817-8198242
Received: February 10, 2007
Revised: March 23, 2007
Accepted: March 28, 2007
Published online: April 14, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To compare and identify the differences in expression of retinal proteins between normal and diabetic rats, and to analyze the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms of retinal diseases caused by diabetes.

METHODS: Changes in protein expression of retinal tissues from diabetic and normal rats were observed using 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Some protein spots exhibiting statistically significant variations (P < 0.05) were selected randomly and identified by tandem mass spectrometry and analyzed by bioinformatics.

RESULTS: 2-DE showed that the expression was up-regulated in 5 retinal proteins, down-regulated in 23 retinal proteins, and disappeared in 8 retinal proteins. Eight spots were identified from the 36 spots by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and analyzed by bioinformatics. Guanylate kinase 1, triosephosphate isomerase 1, ATP synthase subunit d, albumin and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 played an important role in signal transduction. Triosephosphate isomerase 1, crystallin alpha B, ATP synthase subunit d and peroxiredoxin 6 were involved in energy metabolism of retinal tissues. Guanylate kinase 1 played an important role in photoexcitation of retinal rod photoreceptor cells. Whether crystallin beta A1 plays a role in diabetic retinas is unknown so far.

CONCLUSION: There are differences in expression of retinal proteins between diabetic and normal rats. These proteins may be involved in the mechanisms and prognosis of retinal diseases caused by diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Rat, Retina, Proteomics, Two-dimensional electrophoresis, Tandem mass spectrometry, Bioinformatics