2017 Targeting Trends Review

Photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex are mediated by distinct populations of ipRGCs.

Chen S, Badea T, Hattar S (2011) Photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex are mediated by distinct populations of ipRGCs. Nature 476:92-95. doi: 10.1038/nature10206 PMID: 21765429

Summary: Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express the photopigment Melanopsin and regulate a wide array of light dependent physiological processes. Genetic ablation of ipRGCs eliminates circadian photoentrainment and severely disrupts the pupillary light reflex (PLR). Scientists showed that ipRGCs consist of distinct subpopulation that differentially express the Brn3b transcription factor, and can be functionally distinguished. Brn3b-negative M1 ipRGCs innervate the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, whereas Brn3b-positive ipRGCs innervate all other known brain targets. Selective ablation of Brn3b-postive ipRGCs severly disrupts the PLR, but does not impair circadian photoentrainment. The scientists concluded that molecularly distinct subpopulations of M1 ipRGCs, which are morphologically and electrophysiologically similar, innervate different brain regions to execute light-induced functions. A dilution of 1:1000 of Anti-Melanopsin (Cat. #AB-N38) was used for immunohistochemical analysis of retina sections.

Related Products: Melanopsin Rabbit Polyclonal (Cat. #AB-N38)