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Distinct contributions of rod, cone, and melanopsin photoreceptors to encoding irradiance

Lall, Gurprit S., Revell, Victoria L, Momiji, Hiroshi, Al Enezi, Jazi, Altimus, Cara M, Güler, Ali D, Aguilar, Carlos, Cameron, Morven A, Allender, Susan, Hankins, Mark W, and others. (2010) Distinct contributions of rod, cone, and melanopsin photoreceptors to encoding irradiance. Neuron, 66 (3). pp. 417-428. ISSN 0896-6273. (doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.037) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:44732)

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.037

Abstract

Photoreceptive, melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) encode ambient light (irradiance) for the circadian clock, the pupillomotor system, and other influential behavioral/physiological responses. mRGCs are activated both by their intrinsic phototransduction cascade and by the rods and cones. However, the individual contribution of each photoreceptor class to irradiance responses remains unclear. We address this deficit using mice expressing human red cone opsin, in which rod-, cone-, and melanopsin-dependent responses can be identified by their distinct spectral sensitivity. Our data reveal an unexpectedly important role for rods. These photoreceptors define circadian responses at very dim "scotopic" light levels but also at irradiances at which pattern vision relies heavily on cones. By contrast, cone input to irradiance responses dissipates following light adaptation to the extent that these receptors make a very limited contribution to circadian and pupillary light responses under these conditions. Our data provide new insight into retinal circuitry upstream of mRGCs and optimal stimuli for eliciting irradiance responses.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.037
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Medway School of Pharmacy
Depositing User: Gurprit Lall
Date Deposited: 17 Nov 2014 15:46 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:17 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/44732 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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