The structure of visual pigments
There are at least two visual pigments, P521 and P467 present in the outer
segments of gecko photoreceptor cells. Both have been cloned and well characterized
by our lab and other collaborators (Dr. T. Yoshizawa and Dr. J. Lewis).
The sequence comparison indicates that P467 is similar to other rod visual
pigments and P521 is similar to the long wavelength cone pigments. Below
is the 2-D model for P521/P467 generated by Li Tang:
Click to see a larger image of the 2-D structure
of gecko visual pigments
A theoretical model of the three dimensional structure has been established
based on the 9 ª projection map of bovine rhodopsin and other experimental
data from mutagenesis and cross-linking method. The new model differs from
the ones which have so far been reported on many points and is consisten
with a wider range of experimantal results. Click here to see the refined
helical wheel model for gecko P521 pigment
or bovine rhodopsin.
The kinetics of photobleaching of rhodopsin
(Under construction)
The surface charge and chloride binding of gecko visual pigments
(Under construction)
Copyright© 1996-1998 Saurav Misra and Osamu Kuwata
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