Dubbed ‘a critical step in the basic understanding of how humans see’, research from UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute reveals a molecular pathway that helps our eyes see continuously in bright light.
The research, conducted in mice, reveals that a special molecule called RGR opsin, which uses sunlight itself, rapidly recycles visual pigments after the pigments sense light and change structure. Mice that lacked the gene for RGR opsin, temporarily lost sensitivity during continuous exposure to light.
The findings suggest RGR opsin is needed for constant vision in the daytime, said researchers. “Without the molecule, flashes of bright light would diminish our vision.” A further finding showed the human gene for RGR opsin is mutated in a small subset of families with retinitis pigmentosa. Blindness in these families may be caused by the loss of function of RGR opsin, they said.
