F
IPR000732

Rhodopsin

InterPro entry
Short nameRhodopsin
Overlapping
homologous
superfamilies
 
family relationships

Description

The photoreceptor rhodopsin is a complex of the vision protein opsin and the chromophore 11-cis-retinal (derived from vitamin A). Light-sensitive pigments occur in both the rod cells (black and white vision) and cone cells (colour vision) in the retina at the back of the eye. Although related, the differences in sequence between the opsins accounts for their differences in absorption: rhodopsin in rod cells, and blue, red, and green opsins in cone cells. Upon exposure to light, the 11-cis-retinal attached to rod or cone opsin isomerises to all-trans-retinal, which leads to the activation of the G protein transducin, and ultimately to the hyperpolarisation of the cell and the propagation of a nerve impulse that is perceived as light.

GO terms

Contributing Member Database Entry
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