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Adding human light-sensitive protein makes mammal cells respond to light
Updated
Abstract
Heterologous expression of human melanopsin in a mouse cell line allows for photoreception.
- Melanopsin may act as a sensory photopigment in the presence of specific light conditions.
- The photoresponse is linked to a native ion channel through a G-protein signalling pathway.
- Cis-isoforms of retinaldehyde are essential for the melanopsin-mediated light detection.
- Sensitivity is observed primarily to short-wavelength light.
- Melanopsin may function as a bistable pigment, capable of regenerating through an intrinsic process modified by light wavelength.
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