Abstract
Using the photopigment melanopsin, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) respond directly to light to drive circadian clock resetting and pupillary constriction. We now report that ipRGCs are more abundant and diverse than previously appreciated, project more widely within the brain, and can support spatial visual perception. A Cre-based melanopsin reporter mouse line revealed at least five subtypes of ipRGCs with distinct morphological and physiological characteristics. Collectively, these cells project beyond the known brain targets of ipRGCs to heavily innervate the superior colliculus and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, retinotopically organized nuclei mediating object localization and discrimination. Mice lacking classical rod-cone photoreception, and thus entirely dependent on melanopsin for light detection, were able to discriminate grating stimuli from equiluminant gray and had measurable visual acuity. Thus, nonclassical retinal photoreception occurs within diverse cell types and influences circuits and functions encompassing luminance as well as spatial information.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
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Animals
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Circadian Rhythm
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Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / genetics
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Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels / metabolism
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Eye Enucleation / methods
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GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / genetics
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GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
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In Vitro Techniques
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Light
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Light Signal Transduction / physiology
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Maze Learning / physiology
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Membrane Potentials / physiology
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Membrane Potentials / radiation effects
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Neural Pathways / metabolism
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Nystagmus, Optokinetic / genetics
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Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
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Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
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Retina / cytology*
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / metabolism*
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Rod Opsins / deficiency
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Rod Opsins / metabolism*
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Space Perception / physiology
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Transducin / genetics
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Transducin / metabolism
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Vision, Ocular / physiology*
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Visual Acuity / genetics
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Visual Cortex / metabolism
Substances
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Cnga3 protein, mouse
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Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels
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GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
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Gnat1 protein, mouse
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Rod Opsins
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enhanced green fluorescent protein
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melanopsin
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Alkaline Phosphatase
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Transducin