Rhodopsin embedded in the disc membranes of photoreceptor cells (IMAGE)
Caption
Rhodopsin, the light sensor of the mammalian visual system, is embedded in the disc membranes of photoreceptor cells. The image above shows an electrospray mass spectrometer, in a darkened, red-lit room, being used to generate ionized fragments of native disc membranes. Shown is rhodopsin activated by light while embedded in its disc membrane causing it to interact with transducin, which then signals to downstream phosphodiesterase 6 (background). Following instantaneous flashes of light, synchronized with recordings on the mass spectrometer, the research team has monitored real-time signal progression across native disc membranes. In capturing this signaling cascade they have documented roles for lipids and ligands in rhodopsin signaling, highlighting new opportunities for discovery of drug targets in the native environment.
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UCI School of Medicine
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