Figure 7. Hypothesis for release of retinal by glycerophospholipids. Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) binds to sodium
hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor type 1 (NHERF1) via interactions with post synaptic density 95-discs large-zonula occludens
(PDZ1), and perhaps PDZ2 [
9,
51,
52]. NHERF1 binds to ezrin, an actin-binding scaffold protein. NHERF1, ezrin, actin, and CRALBP are found in retinal pigment
epithelium apical processes. We suggest that binding of CRALBP to this or a similar complex restricts the diffusion of CRALBP
in the vicinity of acidic glycerophospholipids of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane or perhaps a vesicular membrane.
Image modified from Nawrot et al. [
52].