The zebrafish ultraviolet cone opsin reported previously is expressed in rods.
OBJECTIVE
To examine expression of the zebrafish ultraviolet cone opsin pigment in goldfish and zebrafish retinas.


METHODS
Digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes were prepared by run-off transcription from plasmids containing cDNAs for zebrafish ultraviolet opsin, goldfish ultraviolet cone opsin, and goldfish rod opsin. Probes were hybridized to cryosections of retina and visualized with immunocytochemistry.


RESULTS
The zebrafish ultraviolet opsin probe hybridized selectively to rod photoreceptors, but not to ultraviolet cones or any other cone type, in both zebrafish and goldfish retinas, and the pattern of expression was identical to that of the goldfish rod opsin probe. The goldfish ultraviolet opsin, in contrast, hybridized to ultraviolet cone photoreceptors in both goldfish and zebrafish.


CONCLUSIONS
The cDNA previously identified by Robinson et al as zebrafish ultraviolet opsin is not a cone opsin but is likely to be a rod opsin.
Raymond
P A
PA
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Barthel
L K
LK
Stenkamp
D L
DL
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D015870:Gene Expression; D006054:Goldfish; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015347:RNA Probes; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D015027:Zebrafish
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015347:RNA Probes; D017299:Rod Opsins