G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) are best known for their role in
homologous desensitization of GPCRs. GRKs phosphorylate activated receptors and …

In neurons, intracellular calcium signals have crucial roles in activating neurotransmitter
release and in triggering alterations in neuronal function. Calmodulin has been widely …

Mammals cannot see light over 700 nm in wavelength. This limitation is due to the physical
thermodynamic properties of the photon-detecting opsins. However, the detection of …

Why do vertebrates use rods and cones that hyperpolarize, when in insect eyes a single
depolarizing photoreceptor can function at all light levels [1, 2]? We answer this question at …

Photoreceptive, melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) encode ambient
light (irradiance) for the circadian clock, the pupillomotor system, and other influential …

In mammals, synchronization of the circadian pacemaker in the hypothalamus is achieved
through direct input from the eyes conveyed by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion …

Photoreceptors in metazoans can be grouped into two classes, with their photoreceptive
membrane derived either from cilia or microvilli. Both classes use some form of the visual …

Previous work established retinal expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), an algal cation
channel gated by light, restored physiological and behavioral visual responses in otherwise …

Cilia are hair-like projections found on almost all cells in the human body. Originally
believed to function merely in motility, the function of solitary non-motile (primary) cilia was …

One hundred and fifty years ago Max Schultze first proposed the duplex theory of vision, that
vertebrate eyes have two types of photoreceptor cells with differing sensitivity: rods for dim …