VISION Instructing the Pupils

The retinal pigment melanopsin is found in ganglion cells, which are downstream of the classic rods and cone photoreceptors of the visual system. By making knockout mice lacking melanopsin, Lucas et al. (see the Perspective by Menaker) show that this pigment likely responds directly to light to contribute to non-image-forming functions of the visual system, in particular the contraction of pupils to a sudden bright light.

R. J. Lucas, S. Hattar, M. Takao, D. M. Berson, R. G. Foster, K.-W. Yau, Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice. Science 299, 245-247 (2003). [Abstract] [Full Text]

M. Menaker, Circadian photoreception. Science 299, 213-214 (2003). [Summary] [Full Text]

The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:

In Science Signaling

EDITORS' CHOICE
PHOTOSENSITIVITY
Beyond the Visual Cycle

(11 July 2006)
Sci. STKE 2006 (343), tw228. [DOI: 10.1126/stke.3432006tw228]
 |  Abstract »

In Science Magazine

PERSPECTIVES
CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS:
Circadian Photoreception

Michael Menaker (10 January 2003)
Science 299 (5604), 213. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1081112]
 |  Summary »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

REPORTS
Diminished Pupillary Light Reflex at High Irradiances in Melanopsin-Knockout Mice

R. J. Lucas, S. Hattar, M. Takao, D. M. Berson, R. G. Foster, and K.-W. Yau (10 January 2003)
Science 299 (5604), 245. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1077293]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »