Ligand Binding Mechanisms in Human Cone Visual Pigments
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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

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Published on: January 2, 2018
Sundaramoorthy Srinivasan1, Ramon Guixà-González2, Arnau Cordomí2
1Grup de Biotecnologia Molecular i Industrial, Centre de Biotecnologia Molecular, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-Barcelona Tech, Rambla de Sant Nebridi 22, 08222 Terrassa, Spain.
Abstract:
Vertebrate vision starts with light absorption by visual pigments in rod and cone photoreceptor cells of the retina. Rhodopsin, in rod cells, responds to dim light, whereas three types of cone opsins (red, green, and blue) function under bright light and mediate color vision. Cone opsins regenerate with retinal much faster than rhodopsin, but the molecular mechanism of regeneration is still unclear. Recent advances in the area pinpoint transient intermediate opsin conformations, and a possible secondary retinal-binding site, as determinant factors for regeneration. In this Review, we compile previous and recent findings to discuss possible mechanisms of ligand entry in cone opsins, involving a secondary binding site, which may have relevant functional and evolutionary implications.
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