Advances in understanding the molecular basis of the first steps in color vision

作者：Hofmann Lukas; Palczewski Krzysztof

来源：Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 2015, 49: 46-66.

DOI：10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.07.004

• Color vision
• Cone photoreceptor(s)
• Visual pigments
• Spectral tuning
• Energetics
• Color blindness
• Vision
• Retina

Serving as one of our primary environmental inputs, vision is the most sophisticated sensory system in humans. Here, we present recent findings derived from energetics, genetics and physiology that provide a more advanced understanding of color perception in mammals. Energetics of cis-trans isomerization of 11-cis-retinal accounts for color perception in the narrow region of the electromagnetic spectrum and how human eyes can absorb light in the near infrared (IR) range. Structural homology models of visual pigments reveal complex interactions of the protein moieties with the light sensitive chromophore 11-cis-retinal and that certain color blinding mutations impair secondary structural elements of these G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Finally, we identify unsolved critical aspects of color tuning that require future investigation.

• 出版日期2015-11