Expressions of rod and cone photoreceptor-like proteins in human epidermis.
Previous reports have suggested the existence of photoreceptors for visible radiation at the surface of the human body. Rhodopsin is a well-known photosensitive protein found in the rod cells of the retina and detects light/dark contrast. Cone opsins are also photosensitive receptors in the cone cells of the retina and detect colour. Here, we describe immunochemical studies using anti-rhodopsin and anti-opsin antibodies on human skin. Both mouse retina and human epidermis showed clear immunoreactivity with each antibody. Interestingly, immunoreactivity against longer-wavelength opsin antibody was observed in the basal layer of the epidermis, while immunoreactivity against rhodopsin and shorter-wavelength opsin was observed in the upper layer. PCR analysis confirmed the expression of rhodopsin-like and opsin-like genes in human retina and the skin. These results suggest that a series of proteins, which play a crucial role in visual perception, are expressed in human epidermis.
Tsutsumi
Moe
M
Shiseido Research Center, Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Japan.
Ikeyama
Kazuyuki
K
Denda
Sumiko
S
Nakanishi
Jotaro
J
Fuziwara
Shigeyoshi
S
Aoki
Hirofumi
H
Denda
Mitsuhiro
M
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry; D055358:Cone Opsins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D055358:Cone Opsins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017299:Rod Opsins; D012243:Rhodopsin