Opsins are members of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor superfamily. This gene encodes a photoreceptive opsin protein that is expressed within the ganglion and amacrine cell layers of the retina. In mouse, retinal ganglion cell axons expressing this gene projected to the suprachiasmatic nucleus and other brain nuclei involved in circadian photoentrainment. In mouse, this protein is coupled to a transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel through a G protein signaling pathway and produces a physiologic light response via membrane depolarization and increased intracellular calcium. The protein functions as a sensory photopigment and may also have photoisomerase activity. Experiments with knockout mice indicate that this gene attenuates, but does not abolish, photoentrainment. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. [provided by Refcaution:The sequence shown here is derived from an Ensembl automatic analysis pipeline and should be considered as preliminary data.,function:Photoreceptor required for regulation of circadian rhythm. Contributes to pupillar reflex and other non-image forming responses to light. May be able to isomerize covalently bound all-trans retinal back to 11-cis retinal.,similarity:Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family.,similarity:Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. Opsin subfamily.,subcellular location:Found in soma, dendrites and proximal part of axons of certain retinal ganglion cells.,tissue specificity:Eye. Expression is restricted within the ganglion and amacrine cell layers of the retina.,
