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The Molecular Mechanism of Photoreception pp 127–158Cite as

Properties of Cytoplasmic Transmitters of Excitation in Vertebrate Rods and Evaluation of Candidate Intermediary Transmitters

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Part of the book series: Dahlem Workshop Reports ((DAHLEM LIFE,volume 34))

Abstract

A cytoplasmically diffusing substance or transmitter must carry the message of excitation from the vertebrate rod disk membrane to the rod plasma membrane, there effecting a decrease in the light-sensitive membrane current. A number of general properties of the transmitter molecule that communicates excitation to the rod plasma membrane either can be deduced from or are strongly constrained by facts of rod physiology. Here we analyze seven general properties of an excitational transmitter: a) transmitter sign (positive or negative concentration change induced by light); b) multi-order sequence of events in production/ destruction; c) numerical gain in production; d) restricted longitudinal diffusion along the outer segment; e) buffering effects on gain and diffusion coefficient; f) limited transmitter lifetime; and g) linearity of transmitter production/reduction with light intensity. Although only cGMP and calcium have been hypothesized to be the molecule communicating excitation to the plasma membrane, other substances have been hypothesized to serve as intermediary transmitters in excitation. We examine the following five intermediary transmitter candidates in the light of the seven general properties: (i) G-protein; (ii) protons; (iii) 5′GMP; (iv) cGMP-dependent protein kinase; and (v) inositol-1, 4, 5-trisphosphate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    E. N. Pugh Jr.

  2. Dept. of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    W. H. Cobbs

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  1. E. N. Pugh Jr.
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  2. W. H. Cobbs
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H. Stieve

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© 1986 Dr. S. Bernhard, Dahlem Konferenzen, Berlin

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Pugh, E.N., Cobbs, W.H. (1986). Properties of Cytoplasmic Transmitters of Excitation in Vertebrate Rods and Evaluation of Candidate Intermediary Transmitters. In: Stieve, H. (eds) The Molecular Mechanism of Photoreception. Dahlem Workshop Reports, vol 34. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70444-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70444-4_9

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