2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Functional Diversity of Visual Pigments and Photoreceptor Cells
| Project/Area Number |
20227002
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
Animal physiology/Animal behavior
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| Research Institution | Kyoto University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
IMAMOTO Yasushi 京都大学, 大学院・理学研究科, 准教授 (80263200)
YAMASHITA Takahiro 京都大学, 大学院・理学研究科, 助教 (50378535)
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| Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha) |
NAKATANI Kei 筑波大学, 大学院・生命環境科学研究科, 准教授 (20125040)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2008 – 2012
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| Keywords | 動物生理化学 / 視覚 |
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| Research Abstract |
We have investigated the molecular mechanisms that underlie the diversity of cell responses and physiological functions, using the photoreceptive system of animals as a model system. Differences in molecular properties between rhodopsin and cone visual pigments are the molecular basis of the differences in photoresponse between rods and cones. We characterized differences in molecular properties by using genetically modified mice and extensive in vitro experiments. Additionally, we demonstrated unique properties of visual and non-visual opsins that have independently diversified, and identified the amino acid residues responsible for these properties.
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