Mathematical and physiological basis for high S/N ratio of rod photoreceptors

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15156
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Animal physiology/Animal behavior
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: SAKURAI Keisuke 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 助教 (20647317)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 網膜 / 視細胞 / オプシン / シミュレーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors are responsible for scotopic and photopic vision, respectively. The light sensitivity and kinetics of there photoreceptors differ depending on their vison. The relationship between photoresponse properties and the phototransduction pathways and morphology in both photoreceptor cells remains unclear. To clarify this, we have created mouse models in which phototransduction molecules in rods are replaced with red cone opsin. In addition, the spatial model of photoreceptor cells revealed that the differences in photoreceptor morphology are involved in the photoresponse characteristics.

Free Research Field

動物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脊椎動物の視細胞の生理学的研究において、細胞に存在する分子の性質の違いに主眼がおかれ、形態の違いの重要性は考慮されない傾向にあったが、本研究により形態的違いが果たす役割について理論的に証明されたことは重要な意義がある。また、細胞の空間モデリングは任意の形態を構築できる為、視細胞だけでなく他の細胞にも応用可能であることから、今後様々な細胞において形態的要因が果たす役割が明らかになると期待される。