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The M5 Cell: A Color-Opponent Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell

Maureen E Stabio1, Shai Sabbah2, Lauren E Quattrochi2

  • 1Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Neuron
|December 19, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) with melanopsin show chromatic opponency. The M5 cell type is UV excitatory and green inhibitory, impacting cortical vision and color perception.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Vision Science
  • Retinal Physiology

Background:

  • Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) possess both melanopsin-based photosensitivity and input from classical photoreceptors.
  • The M5 cell, a type of ipRGC, remains poorly understood regarding its visual processing capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To fully characterize the M5 cell's function and identify its unique visual processing characteristics.
  • To investigate the mechanisms underlying chromatic opponency in M5 cells.

Main Methods:

  • Serial electron microscopic reconstructions to analyze synaptic connections.
  • Electrophysiological recordings to assess cellular responses.
  • Investigation of cone bipolar cell and amacrine cell inputs.

Main Results:

  • M5 cells exhibit chromatic opponency, with ultraviolet (UV) excitation and green inhibition.
  • M5 cells receive direct UV-opsin input from Type 9 cone bipolar cells and mixed signals from other bipolar types.
  • Both excitation and inhibition are ON-channel driven, with M-cone-mediated surround inhibition from amacrine cells.

Conclusions:

  • M5 cells are uniquely positioned to convey chromatic information to the dLGN and subsequently to the visual cortex.
  • Melanopsin's role extends beyond non-visual reflexes to potentially influence conscious visual perception, including color.
  • The findings reveal a novel mechanism for chromatic opponency in retinal ganglion cells.
Keywords:
amacrine cellsbipolar cellscolor visioncolor-opponencycone opsinsganglion cell photoreceptorsintrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cellslateral geniculate nucleusmelanopsinretinal ganglion cells

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