First identification and localization of a visual pigment in Hydra (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa).
The cnidarian Hydra does not possess identified photoreceptive structures or specialized cells for light detection; nevertheless, it shows a marked photosensitivity. So far no evidence has been previously reported about the localization of the proteins involved in the photoresponse. We used polyclonal antibodies and immunofluorescence microscopy on whole-mount Hydra to identify a putative rhodopsin-like protein. Our results show an immunoreactivity in the ectodermal layer of Hydra, which corresponds in position to the nervous epidermal sensory cells. These data provide the first identification of a rhodopsin-like protein in a phylogenetically old invertebrate and give a new insight into the Hydra photoreceptive response.
Musio
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Istituto di Cibernetica del CNR, Napoli, Italy. carlom@biocib.cib.na.cnr.it
Santillo
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Taddei-Ferretti
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C
Robles
L J
LJ
Vismara
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R
Barsanti
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Gualtieri
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P
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006829:Hydra / Q000737:chemistry*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / Q000502:physiology*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000737:chemistry; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000276:immunology
D012168:Retinal Pigments; D017299:Rod Opsins; D012243:Rhodopsin