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Scientists have discovered what sharp eyesight depends on
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with a team of scientists from the Salk Institute in California, have discovered for the first time that a specific protein is important not only for retinal health, but also for understanding and potentially treating other diseases of the immune, reproductive, vascular and nervous systems, as well as various types of cancer.
The results of the scientists' work, presented on the pages of the scientific publication "Neuron", emphasize the role of protein S in maintaining the health of the retina due to its participation in the process of reduction of photoreceptors, light-sensitive neurons in the eye - phagocytosis.
These photoreceptors are constantly growing and lengthening from the inner end. In order to maintain a constant length, they must be contracted from the outer end by special cells called retinal pigment epithelium.
Without this reduction, which also removes many of the free radicals and toxic byproducts produced by the biochemical reaction, the photoreceptors would be susceptible to toxic attack and degeneration, processes that lead to vision loss.
Cell receptor - the molecule Mer is essential for our vision in the process of photoreceptor shrinkage, which is vital for the retina of the eye. Mutation of this cell receptor can eventually lead to blindness.
The researchers studied the action of molecules that activate a cellular receptor, the Mer molecule. Specifically, these two molecules are Gas6 and the S protein.
To demonstrate the importance of these molecules for the human body, Dr. Tal Burstyn-Cohen of the Hebrew University conducted an experiment on animals and found that both of these proteins are necessary for activating the process of phagocytosis and thus maintaining the health of the retina.
These results may have practical significance, since protein S acts as a powerful blood anticoagulant. The lives of people with protein S deficiency are at risk due to the risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism.
These findings open up new avenues for more detailed study of the role of protein S in the process of receptor activation in other tissues. This protein may be important for the immune, reproductive, vascular and nervous systems.
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