Open AccessThe Opsins: Lies Between Image Forming and Non-image Forming Process
Author(s) -
Asma Naseem,
Shalie Malik
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of zoological investigations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2454-3055
DOI - 10.33745/ijzi.2021.v07i02.009
Subject(s) - opsin , visual phototransduction , image (mathematics) , biology , evolutionary biology , communication , neuroscience , rhodopsin , artificial intelligence , computer science , retina , psychology , botany , retinal
Light, the most abundant and important stimuli, can be sensed by a single photon by the photoreceptors.These photoreceptors are usually a group of protein of GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) family. Opsins, a group ofthis family absorb these photons and processes both image forming and non-image forming phototransduction.Initially, their role was only limited to image formation, but recent studies reveal their importance in non -imageforming functions also. In this review, we discussed various roles of opsins other than image formation, such as inphotorelaxation of blood vessels, mechanoreception of skin, temperature regulation, hearing, immune system,thermotaxis of sperms, photosensation as well as in reproduction. These various functions of opsins show theirimmense importance in non-image forming functions as well as their evolutionary importance.