Photoreceptors are responsible for the initial step in visual processing, converting the signal of photon absorption into synaptic transmission. The visual pigment in vertebrate rods responsible for the absorption of light quanta is rhodopsin (also called opsin). Rhodopsin comprises >95% of the rod outer segments (ROS) intrinsic membrane protein and is a glycoprotein possessing two asparagine-linked oligosaccharide groups at amino acid residues 2 and 15 of the N-terminus. Light is absorbed by rhodopsin and the subsequent conformational change leads to the activation of a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase through a specific G-protein intermediate, transducin.
MDL Number: MFCD01865244
Storage: -20C
Application: Mouse monoclonal clone RET-P1 anti-Opsin antibody is used to tag opsin/rhodopsin for detection and quantitation by immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques such as immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry of cultured cells, immunohistochemistry (paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde-fixed, paraformaldehyde perfusion-fixed, frozen sections), immunoelectron microscopy, ELISA, competitive ELISA, and solid phase RIA. It is used as a probe to determine the presence and roles of opsin/rhodopsin in studies of rhodopsin location, functional properties and molecular mechanisms governing rod photoreceptor differentiation.
Biochem Physiol Actions: Mutations in rhodopsin gene are linked to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and congenital night blindness.