The vertebrate phototransduction cascade: amplification and termination mechanisms.

摘要: The biochemical cascade which transduces light into a neuronal signal in retinal photoreceptors is heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein) signaling pathway called phototransduction. Works from psychophysicists, electrophysiologists, biochemists, and geneticists over several decades have come together to shape our understanding of how photon absorption leads photoreceptor membrane hyperpolarization. insights phototransduction provide the foundation for mechanistic account many other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) found throughout nature. application reverse genetic techniques has strengthened historic findings helped describe this at greater molecular details. However, important questions remain be answered.