Photon capture and signalling by melanopsin retinal ganglion cells

Michael Tri H. Do (), Shin H. Kang, Tian Xue, Haining Zhong, Hsi-Wen Liao, Dwight E. Bergles and King-Wai Yau ()
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Michael Tri H. Do: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
Shin H. Kang: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
Tian Xue: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
Haining Zhong: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
Hsi-Wen Liao: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
Dwight E. Bergles: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,
King-Wai Yau: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience,

Nature, 2009, vol. 457, issue 7227, 281-287

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07682

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