Retbindin, Vitamin B2 and Vision

Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide. Metabolic dysregulation is a common cause of the retinal disease pathology, thus identifying a regulator that can preserve the metabolic ecosystem is needed for future development of a treatment. The interface between the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is critical because of the important functions of metabolites exchange between the photoreceptors and RPE. Retbindin (RTBDN) is a rod-specific riboflavin binding protein, and a regulator of riboflavin-derived cofactors. It helps to maintain high levels of retinal flavins, and it is essential for retinal structure and function. RTBDN elimination leads to early-onset retinal metabolic dysregulation followed by progressive degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. Overall, studying the function of RTBDN, the association of RTBDN and Vitamin B2, and the regulation of RTBDN and vision provides insight on the protective role of RTBDN in the retina.