VA Opsin, Melanopsin, and an Inherent Light Response within Retinal Interneurons

Jenkins, Aaron; Muñoz, M.; Tarttelin, Emma E.; Bellingham, James; Foster, Russell G.; Hankins, Mark W.

doi:10.1016/s0960-9822(03)00509-8

Cited by 74 publications

(93 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Recently, vertebrate ancient (VA) opsin-like immunoreactivity was detected in the avian anterior hypothalamus (16). Although spectral sensitivities of avian melanopsin and VA opsin remain to be determined, both mammalian melanopsin and teleost VA opsin have a λ max of ∼480 nm (44,45). This λ max is consistent with the action spectrum for photoinduced LH release, suggesting possible involvement of melanopsin and VA opsin in the photoperiodic response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

A mammalian neural tissue opsin (Opsin 5) is a deep brain photoreceptor in birds

Nakane

Ikegami

Ono

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

267

242

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It has been known for many decades that nonmammalian vertebrates detect light by deep brain photoreceptors that lie outside the retina and pineal organ to regulate seasonal cycle of reproduction. However, the identity of these photoreceptors has so far remained unclear. Here we report that Opsin 5 is a deep brain photoreceptive molecule in the quail brain. Expression analysis of members of the opsin superfamily identified as Opsin 5 (OPN5; also known as Gpr136, Neuropsin, PGR12, and TMEM13) mRNA in the paraventricular organ (PVO), an area long believed to be capable of phototransduction. Immunohistochemistry identified Opsin 5 in neurons that contact the cerebrospinal fluid in the PVO, as well as fibers extending to the external zone of the median eminence adjacent to the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland, which translates photoperiodic information into neuroendocrine responses. Heterologous expression of Opsin 5 in Xenopus oocytes resulted in light-dependent activation of membrane currents, the action spectrum of which showed peak sensitivity (λ max ) at ∼420 nm. We also found that short-wavelength light, i.e., between UV-B and blue light, induced photoperiodic responses in eye-patched, pinealectomized quail. Thus, Opsin 5 appears to be one of the deep brain photoreceptive molecules that regulates seasonal reproduction in birds.circadian rhythms | Japanese quail | photoperiodism | paraventricular organ | cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neuron

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

A mammalian neural tissue opsin (Opsin 5) is a deep brain photoreceptor in birds

Nakane

Ikegami

Ono

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

267

242

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“…These unusual findings no doubt prompted the pioneering experiments by Berson et al [16] mentioned earlier. More recently, melanopsin has been found in the retina and brain of fish and chicken [2,[20][21][22]. Melanopsin has also been reported to be present in the mouse retinal pigment epithelium [23], but this result has not been verified by others [24••].…”

Section: Identity Of the Circadian Photopigmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…When heterologously expressed, this pigment gave an absorption spectrum with λ max at 460 nm [63]. Subsequent electrophysiological recordings from the intact roach retina suggested the presence of a subclass of intrinsically photosensitive horizontal cells, which gave a very slow, depolarizing light response with an action spectrum peaking at 477 nm [2]. However, blockade of synaptic transmission eliminated these responses [2], making the finding inconclusive.…”

Section: Inner-retina Photoreceptors In Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsequent electrophysiological recordings from the intact roach retina suggested the presence of a subclass of intrinsically photosensitive horizontal cells, which gave a very slow, depolarizing light response with an action spectrum peaking at 477 nm [2]. However, blockade of synaptic transmission eliminated these responses [2], making the finding inconclusive. Even if real, the photopigment underlying this 'intrinsic' photo-response of horizontal cells remains unclear because both melanopsin and VA opsin were suggested to be present in these cells [2].…”

Section: Inner-retina Photoreceptors In Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In mammals, it now appears that non-image-forming vision is mediated not only by rods and cones but also by a small subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that is intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs). In lower vertebrates such as fish, a subset of inner retinal neurons (not necessarily RGCs) might also be photoreceptive [2]. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of the workings of these non-rod and non-cone ocular photoreceptors and their photopigments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-image-forming ocular photoreception in vertebrates

Liao

et al. 2005

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

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It has been accepted for a hundred years or more that rods and cones are the only photoreceptive cells in the retina. The light signals generated in rods and cones, after processing by downstream retinal neurons (bipolar, horizontal, amacrine and ganglion cells), are transmitted to the brain via the axons of the ganglion cells for further analysis. In the past few years, however, convincing evidence has rapidly emerged indicating that a small subset of retinal ganglion cells in mammals is also intrinsically photosensitive. Melanopsin is the signaling photopigment in these cells. The main function of the innerretina photoreceptors is to generate and transmit non-image-forming visual information, although some role in conventional vision (image detection) is also possible.

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A Novel Light Sensing Pathway in the Eye: Conserved Features of Inner Retinal Photoreception in Rodents, Man and Teleost Fish

Hankins

Foster

2005

Handbook of Photosensory Receptors

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Until recently the light sensing capabilities of the eye have been considered well understood. Rods and cones of the outer retina were thought to be the only photoreceptors of the eye, with the neurones of the inner retina providing the initial stage of visual processing. However, studies on mice lacking rod and cone photoreceptors have shown that these animals can adjust their circadian clocks, suppress pineal melatonin, modify locomotor activity, and regulate pupil size in response to environmental brightness. At least two of these responses, circadian regulation and pupillary constriction, are regulated by a previously uncharacterized opsin/vitamin A-based photopigment with a wavelength of maximum sensitivity λ max near 480 nm (OP 480 ). The use of calcium imaging in wholemount retinal preparations has demonstrated the existence of a heterogeneous network of directly light-sensitive neurones within the ganglion cell layer of the retina. At least some of these light sensitive neurones express melanopsin. The ablation of this gene in mice with no rods or cones abolishes all known responses to light. Thus rods, cones and melanopsin neurones fully account for all photoreception within the eye, and melanopsin remains the primary candidate for OP 480 . Studies in humans have identified an opsin/vitamin A based photopigment with a λ max ∼480 nm, and hence a probable homolog of OP 480 . This photopigment regulates both circadian responses to light and appears to act through a local retinal mechanism to drive diurnal changes in the primary visual pathway.Whilst considerable attention has been paid to the inner retinal photoreceptors of mammals, little attention has been paid to the physiological function of these neurones in fish. Recent electrophysiological evidence suggests that one function of this inner retinal photoreceptor is to modulate the activity of retinal horizontal cells in response to environmental irradiance. The action spectrum for this depolarizing response fits a single opsin photopigment with a λ max of 477 nm. Both VA-opsin and melanopsin appear to be expressed in these intrinsically photosensitive horizontal cells, but it remains unclear which of these opsins form the photopigment.

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VA Opsin, Melanopsin, and an Inherent Light Response within Retinal Interneurons

Abstract: The syncytium of coupled horizontal cells has long been considered to provide a signal of overall retinal irradiance. Our data suggest that this light information is, at least in part, derived from a population of intrinsically photosensitive VA opsin and/or melanopsin horizontal cells.

Cited by 74 publications

References 30 publications

A mammalian neural tissue opsin (Opsin 5) is a deep brain photoreceptor in birds

A mammalian neural tissue opsin (Opsin 5) is a deep brain photoreceptor in birds

Non-image-forming ocular photoreception in vertebrates

A Novel Light Sensing Pathway in the Eye: Conserved Features of Inner Retinal Photoreception in Rodents, Man and Teleost Fish

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