Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Large-Scale Purification of Porcine or Bovine Photoreceptor Outer Segments for Phagocytosis Assays on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Published on: December 12, 2014
Distribution of guanylate cyclase within photoreceptor outer segments
M A Hallett1, J L Delaat, K Arikawa
1School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA.
Abstract:
Guanylate cyclases play an essential role in the recovery of vertebrate photoreceptor cells after light activation. Here, we have investigated how one such guanylate cyclase, RetGC-1, is distributed within light- and dark-adapted rod photoreceptor cells. Guanylate cyclase activity partitioned with the photoreceptor outer segment (OS) cytoskeleton in a light-sensitive manner. RetGC-1 was found to bind actin filaments in actin blot overlays, suggesting a mechanism for its association with the OS cytoskeleton. In retinal sections, this enzyme was immunodetected only in the OSs, where it appeared to be distributed throughout the disk membranes.
Related Concept Videos
G-protein Coupled Receptors
Channel Rhodopsins
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory organs,...
Anatomy of the Eyeball
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

