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The Photopigment Melanopsin Is Exclusively Present in Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-Containing Retinal Ganglion Cells of the Retinohypothalamic Tract
The light-sensitive pigment melanopsin is found only in special retinal cells that send signals to the brain's daily rhythm system
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Abstract
Melanopsin is found exclusively in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-containing retinal ganglion cells.
- Melanopsin and PACAP are localized in the same retinal ganglion cells, suggesting a specific role for melanopsin in circadian signaling.
- The study utilized cloning of rat melanopsin photopigment cDNA and development of a specific melanopsin antibody.
- In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry techniques revealed that melanopsin is present on the surface of somas and dendrites of PACAP-containing cells.
- Colocalization studies indicate that melanopsin may function as a circadian photopigment associated with the retinohypothalamic tract.
- Findings are supported by published action spectra analyses and observations in retinally degenerated mutant mice.
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