Abstract
Eye donors were identified who had X-chromosome photopigment gene arrays like those of living deuteranomalous men; the arrays contained two genes encoding long-wavelength sensitive (L) pigments as well as genes to encode middle-wavelength sensitive (M) photopigment. Ultrasensitive methods failed to detect the presence of M photopigment mRNA in the retinas of these deutan donors. This provides direct evidence that deuteranomaly is caused by the complete absence of M pigment mRNA. Additionally, for those eyes with mRNA corresponding to two different L-type photopigments, the ratio of mRNA from the first vs. downstream L genes was analyzed across the retinal topography. Results show that the pattern of first relative to downstream L gene expression in the deuteranomalous retina is similar to the pattern of L vs. M gene expression found in normal retinas.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 135-145 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Vision Research |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Color blindness
- Deuteranomaly
- Gene expression
- Photopigment genes
- Topography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems