Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

In Vivo Functional Brain Imaging Approach Based on Bioluminescent Calcium Indicator GFP-aequorin
Published on: January 8, 2016
Phototransduction molecules in the pigeon deep brain
1Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Abstract:
Photoreceptive areas responsible for the regulation of photoperiodicity have been localized in the brain of some avian species. We found that immunoreactivities to rhodopsin and the alpha-subunit of rod-type transducin (Gt(1)alpha) were colocalized in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contacting neurons in the pigeon lateral septum, a possible site for photoreception. Furthermore, RT-PCR analyses showed specific gene expression of both cGMP-phosphodiesterase beta-subunit and cone-type cGMP-gated cation channel alpha-subunit in this region. These results suggest that several components in rod/cone photoreceptors compositely contribute to the deep encephalic phototransduction cascade.
Related Concept Videos
The Retina
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

