Factors affecting the regeneration of rhodopsin in the isolated amphibian retina.

The capacity of isolated perfused frog and toad retinas to regenerate rhodopsin after a series of low level bleaches was investigated. For bleaches of less than 2% complete regeneration was observed after the first bleach with less or no regeneration after subsequent bleaches. Total regeneration from all bleaches was approximately 3%, an amount consistent with stores of 11-cis retinol in amphibian rod outer segments. Total regeneration was increased by incubation with membrane impermeable reagents that oxidize retinol to retinal and was reduced by higher levels of bleaching or added cGMP. It was eliminated by the substitution of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and pyruvate for glucose.