Recombinant Human Melanopsin (OPN4), Truncated

Uniprot Id

Q9UHM6

Target Species

Human

Target Name

OPN4

Target Full Name

Melanopsin

Target Function

Photoreceptor that binds cis-retinaldehydes. Contributes to pupillar reflex, photoentrainment and other non-image forming responses to light. May be involved in the optokinetic visual tracking response. May be involved in the regulation of retinal hyaloid vessel growth and regression.

Target Subcellular Location

Cell membrane; Multi-pass membrane protein. Cell projection, axon. Cell projection, dendrite. Perikaryon.

Target Protein Families

G-protein coupled receptor 1 family, Opsin subfamily

Target Tissue Specificity

Expressed in the retina.

Target Synonyms

OPN4; MOP; Melanopsin; Opsin-4

Target Background

Opsins are members of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor superfamily. This gene encodes a photoreceptive opsin protein that is expressed within the ganglion and amacrine cell layers of the retina. In mouse, retinal ganglion cell axons expressing this gene projected to the suprachiasmatic nucleus and other brain nuclei involved in circadian photoentrainment. In mouse, this protein is coupled to a transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel through a G protein signaling pathway and produces a physiologic light response via membrane depolarization and increased intracellular calcium. The protein functions as a sensory photopigment and may also have photoisomerase activity. Experiments with knockout mice indicate that this gene attenuates, but does not abolish, photoentrainment. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.