Abstract
Metanopsin has been proposed as an important photoreceptive molecule for the mammalian circadian system. Its importance in this role was tested in melanopsin knockout mice. These mice entrained to a light/dark cycle, phase-shifted after a light pulse, and increased circadian period when light intensity increased. Induction of the immediate-early gene c-fos was observed after a nighttime light pulse in both wild-type and knockout mice. However, the magnitude of these behavioral responses in knockout mice was 40% lower than in wild-type mice. Although melanopsin is not essential for the circadian clock to receive photic input, it contributes significantly to the magnitude of photic responses.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2211-2213 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 298 |
Issue number | 5601 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 13 2002 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General