The exploration of new physiological function of the non-visual photoreception.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06265
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44050:Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Women's University
• Principal Investigator: Kawano-Yamashita Emi (川野絵美) 奈良女子大学, 自然科学系, 准教授 (80804583)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ロドプシン / 光受容 / 非視覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recently, we found a novel deep brain photoreceptor in the lamprey. This photoreceptor is composed of the centrifugal nerve extending the long axons directly to the retina, called the centrifugal retinal neurons. In this study, we investigated the various features of these photoreceptor cells, in order to understand the physiological role of the deep brain photoreceptor. Our findings indicate that the histological characteristics of these photoreceptor cells are similar to those of vertebrate photoreceptors. We also found that the histological features of centrifugal retinal neurons in teleost are comparable to those in lampreys. Moreover, our behavioral analysis of lampreys suggests that non-visual photoreception may play a role in regulating swimming behavior.

Free Research Field

光生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

非視覚の光受容はあらゆる動物がもつ共通の機能であるが、それらが局在する領域や生理機能などは動物種によって多様化している。本研究では、ヤツメウナギで発見した新規の脳内光受容器官がどのような機能を担うのか、その機能は脊椎動物で共有するのかを理解するために解析を行った。近年、光環境がもたらす動物への影響が取り上げられる中、非視覚の光受容に大きな注目が集まっている。ヤツメウナギという最も原始的な脊椎動物に着目することで、動物と光の根源的な関係の理解につながると考えられる。