The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer simple epithelium in proximity to the outer surface of the retinal photoreceptor cells. Retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein (RPE65) is a 65kDa protein belonging to the beta-carotene dioxygenase family. This protein is important in 11-cis retinal production as well as in visual pigment regeneration. RPE65 is attached to the membrane by a lipid anchor when palmitoylated (membrane form) and soluble when unpalmitoylated. The soluble form of the protein binds vitamin A. Defects in RPE65 causes autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and/or Leber congenital amaurosis type 2.
