Abstract
Mice express S and M opsins that form visual pigments for the detection of light and visual signaling in cones. Here, we show that S opsin transcription is higher than that of M opsin, which supports ultraviolet (UV) sensitivity greater than midwavelength sensitivity. Surprisingly, most cones coexpress both S and M opsins in a common cone cell type throughout the retina. All cones express M opsin, but the levels are graded from dorsal to ventral. The levels of S opsin are relatively constant. However, in the far dorsal retina, S opsin is repressed stochastically, such that some cones express M opsin only. These observations indicate that two different mechanisms control M and S opsin expression. We suggest that a common cone type is patterned across the retinal surface to produce phenotypic cone subtypes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Count
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Immunohistochemistry
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In Situ Hybridization
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Microscopy, Confocal
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Organ Specificity
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Protein Isoforms / biosynthesis
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Protein Isoforms / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Retina / cytology
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Retina / metabolism*
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Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
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Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
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Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
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Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
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Rod Opsins / biosynthesis*
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Rod Opsins / genetics
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Species Specificity
Substances
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Protein Isoforms
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RNA, Messenger
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Rod Opsins
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF190670
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GENBANK/AF190672
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GENBANK/AF191080
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GENBANK/AF191081
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GENBANK/AF191082
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GENBANK/AF191083
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GENBANK/AF191084
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GENBANK/AF191085
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GENBANK/AF195071