title: A second opsin gene expressed in the ultraviolet-sensitive R7 photoreceptor cells of Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: We have identified a second Drosophila opsin gene, Rh4, which is expressed specifically in the ultraviolet-sensitive R7 photoreceptor cells. The two R7 opsins, Rh3 and Rh4, are expressed in nonoverlapping subsets of R7 cells. The Rh4 opsin shares 72% amino acid identity with Rh3, but is only about 35% homologous with the other 2 Drosophila opsins, ninaE and Rh2. Twenty-eight amino acids are conserved among all 4 invertebrate and 5 vertebrate opsin genes thus far sequenced, suggesting that these residues play an important role in rhodopsin function.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D017299:Rod Opsins
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D017299:Rod Opsins