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Photon capture and signalling by melanopsin retinal ganglion cells

Author

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  • Michael Tri H. Do

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
    Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA)

  • Shin H. Kang

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,)

  • Tian Xue

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
    Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA)

  • Haining Zhong

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
    Present addresses: Janelia Farm Research Campus, HHMI, Ashburn, Virginia 20147, USA (H.Z.); Department of Neurobiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA (H.-W.L.).)

  • Hsi-Wen Liao

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
    Present addresses: Janelia Farm Research Campus, HHMI, Ashburn, Virginia 20147, USA (H.Z.); Department of Neurobiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA (H.-W.L.).)

  • Dwight E. Bergles

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,)

  • King-Wai Yau

    (Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
    and
    Center for Sensory Biology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA)

Abstract

A subset of retinal ganglion cells has recently been discovered to be intrinsically photosensitive, with melanopsin as the pigment. These cells project primarily to brain centres for non-image-forming visual functions such as the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment. How well they signal intrinsic light absorption to drive behaviour remains unclear. Here we report fundamental parameters governing their intrinsic light responses and associated spike generation. The membrane density of melanopsin is 104-fold lower than that of rod and cone pigments, resulting in a very low photon catch and a phototransducing role only in relatively bright light. Nonetheless, each captured photon elicits a large and extraordinarily prolonged response, with a unique shape among known photoreceptors. Notably, like rods, these cells are capable of signalling single-photon absorption. A flash causing a few hundred isomerized melanopsin molecules in a retina is sufficient for reaching threshold for the pupillary light reflex.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Tri H. Do & Shin H. Kang & Tian Xue & Haining Zhong & Hsi-Wen Liao & Dwight E. Bergles & King-Wai Yau, 2009. "Photon capture and signalling by melanopsin retinal ganglion cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 457(7227), pages 281-287, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:457:y:2009:i:7227:d:10.1038_nature07682
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07682
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    Cited by:

    1. Babak Zandi & Adrian Eissfeldt & Alexander Herzog & Tran Quoc Khanh, 2021. "Melanopic Limits of Metamer Spectral Optimisation in Multi-Channel Smart Lighting Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-16, January.

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