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Melanopsin (Opn4) Requirement for Normal Light-Induced Circadian Phase Shifting
Melanopsin is needed for normal changes in the body’s daily clock in response to light
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Abstract
Melanopsin-null mice (Opn4-/-) exhibit severely attenuated phase resetting to brief monochromatic light pulses.
- The master circadian oscillator in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus is influenced by retinal photoreceptors.
- Melanopsin is identified as a key photopigment involved in light-mediated entrainment of the circadian clock.
- Despite being able to entrain to a light/dark cycle, melanopsin-null mice do not show any significant defects in activity rhythms when in constant darkness.
- The findings emphasize the essential role of melanopsin for effective circadian photoentrainment in mammals.
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