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WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS OF PHOTORECEPTOR ADAPTATION?

Bownds , M. Deric and Arshavsky , Vadim Y. (1995) WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS OF PHOTORECEPTOR ADAPTATION?.

Short Abstract:

This target article evaluates each of the reactions known to be involved in visual transduction as a potential site for the regulation of light adaptation. Extensive evidence suggests that calcium acts as a feedback messenger at several different points, and recent work suggests a role for cGMP in regulating the primary excitatory pathway. A conclusion is that adaptation is likely to be regulated by multiple and redundant mechanisms. The goal of future experimentation will be to determine the relative importance of each of these.

Long Abstract:

This target article evaluates each of the reactions known to be involved in visual transduction as a potential site for the regulation of light adaptation. Extensive evidence suggests that calcium acts as a feedback messenger at several different points, and recent work suggests a role for cGMP in regulating the primary excitatory pathway. A conclusion is that adaptation is likely to be regulated by multiple and redundant mechanisms. The goal of future experimentation will be to determine the relative importance of each of these.

Keywords:	photoreceptor, rod outer segments, light adaptation, rhodopsin, calcium, cyclic GMP, transducin, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, guanylate cyclase, phosphorylation, sensory adaptation
Subjects:	BBS Special Issues: Controversies in Neuroscience: III - Signal Transduction in the Retina and Brain Neuroscience: Biophysics Neuroscience: Neurophysiology Psychology: Perceptual Cognitive Psychology Psychology: Physiological Psychology Psychology: Psychophysics
ID code:	bbs00000435
Deposited by:	Deric Bownds on 01 May 2001