title: Light sensitivity in a vertebrate mechanoreceptor?
abstract: Using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, we demonstrate that melanopsin is localised in cells around the central pore of lateral line neuromasts in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. Since melanopsin is a known photoreceptor pigment with diverse functions in vertebrates, we suggest that the lateral line of Xenopus laevis, which is primarily a mechanoreceptor, might also be light sensitive. Potential functions of such photosensitivity are discussed, including its role in mediating locomotor responses following dermal illumination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry & Visual Science, School of Health Sciences, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.
authors.forename: Gary E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 HP Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Willem J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: de Grip
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Levels 5-6 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turton
authors.affiliation: Anatomisches Institut, Universität Tübingen, Ősterbergstrasse 3, Tübingen 72074, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Levels 5-6 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: Russell G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry & Visual Science, School of Health Sciences, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK r.h.douglas@city.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ron H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053403:Lateral Line System / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000502:physiology*; D000099210:Melanopsin
chemical_list: D017299:Rod Opsins; D000099210:Melanopsin
keywords: Lateral line; Mechanoreceptor; Melanopsin; Multimodality; Photosensitivity; Phototaxis