Non-visual ocular photoreception.
At least six light-regulated phenomena are preserved in the eyes of retinally degenerate mice, including the entrainment of circadian rhythms, the gating of ocular immune response, and pupillary reactivity. Some of these phenomena have also been observed in blind human patients. These findings have prompted the search for a non-visual ocular phototransduction mechanism. Molecular genetic studies have identified several candidate genes for these effects. These include genes encoding novel ocular opsins, such as melanopsin, as well as potential flavin-based photopigments. Data linking these potential photoreceptors to these phenomena are discussed, and the clinical implications of these findings are explored.
Van Gelder
R N
RN
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. vangelder@vision.wustl.edu
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D055537:Light Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D017956:Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000502:physiology; D000099210:Melanopsin
D056931:Cryptochromes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D017299:Rod Opsins; D000099210:Melanopsin; C119828:cry protein, Drosophila