Research into molecules able to rescue degenerating vision is yielding insights into the protein structures that enable us to see.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative eye disease arising from the incorrect maturation of the retinal rod cell protein opsin and its resulting instability. Now, a Swiss team led by Roche scientists has used computational modeling and in vitro screening techniques to discover molecules, such as S-RS1, capable of ‘rescuing’ opsin; stabilizing and moving it to its correct location within rod cells. In doing so, the team identified a previously-unknown physical conformation of the protein which may facilitate its binding to the light-sensing molecule retinal. Retinal bound to opsin forms rhodopsin, a crucial component of human sight.

In elucidating opsin’s structure, and how S-RS1 binds and modifies the protein, this research helps to deepen our understanding of the molecular biology underpinning degenerative eye conditions and helps to shed light on potential treatments.