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Andrabi M, Upton BA, Lang RA, Vemaraju S. An Expanding Role for Nonvisual Opsins in Extraocular Light Sensing Physiology. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2023; 9:245-267. [PMID: 37196422 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-vision-100820-094018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
We live on a planet that is bathed in daily and seasonal sunlight cycles. In this context, terrestrial life forms have evolved mechanisms that directly harness light energy (plants) or decode light information for adaptive advantage. In animals, the main light sensors are a family of G protein-coupled receptors called opsins. Opsin function is best described for the visual sense. However, most animals also use opsins for extraocular light sensing for seasonal behavior and camouflage. While it has long been believed that mammals do not have an extraocular light sensing capacity, recent evidence suggests otherwise. Notably, encephalopsin (OPN3) and neuropsin (OPN5) are both known to mediate extraocular light sensing in mice. Examples of this mediation include photoentrainment of circadian clocks in skin (by OPN5) and acute light-dependent regulation of metabolic pathways (by OPN3 and OPN5). This review summarizes current findings in the expanding field of extraocular photoreception and their relevance for human physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutahar Andrabi
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian A Upton
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; ,
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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2
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Linne C, Mon KY, D’Souza S, Jeong H, Jiang X, Brown DM, Zhang K, Vemaraju S, Tsubota K, Kurihara T, Pardue MT, Lang RA. Encephalopsin (OPN3) is required for normal refractive development and the GO/GROW response to induced myopia. Mol Vis 2023; 29:39-57. [PMID: 37287644 PMCID: PMC10243678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common form of refractive error and is increasing in prevalence. While significant efforts have been made to identify genetic variants that predispose individuals to myopia, these variants are believed to account for only a small portion of the myopia prevalence, leading to a feedback theory of emmetropization, which depends on the active perception of environmental visual cues. Consequently, there has been renewed interest in studying myopia in the context of light perception, beginning with the opsin family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Refractive phenotypes have been characterized in every opsin signaling pathway studied, leaving only Opsin 3 (OPN3), the most widely expressed and blue-light sensing noncanonical opsin, to be investigated for function in the eye and refraction. Methods Opn3 expression was assessed in various ocular tissues using an Opn3eGFP reporter. Weekly refractive development in Opn3 retinal and germline mutants from 3 to 9 weeks of age was measured using an infrared photorefractor and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Susceptibility to lens-induced myopia was then assessed using skull-mounted goggles with a -30 diopter experimental and a 0 diopter control lens. Mouse eye biometry was similarly tracked from 3 to 6 weeks. A myopia gene expression signature was assessed 24 h after lens induction for germline mutants to further assess myopia-induced changes. Results Opn3 was found to be expressed in a subset of retinal ganglion cells and a limited number of choroidal cells. Based on an assessment of Opn3 mutants, the OPN3 germline, but not retina conditional Opn3 knockout, exhibits a refractive myopia phenotype, which manifests in decreased lens thickness, shallower aqueous compartment depth, and shorter axial length, atypical of traditional axial myopias. Despite the short axial length, Opn3 null eyes demonstrate normal axial elongation in response to myopia induction and mild changes in choroidal thinning and myopic shift, suggesting that susceptibility to lens-induced myopia is largely unchanged. Additionally, the Opn3 null retinal gene expression signature in response to induced myopia after 24 h is distinct, with opposing Ctgf, Cx43, and Egr1 polarity compared to controls. Conclusions The data suggest that an OPN3 expression domain outside the retina can control lens shape and thus the refractive performance of the eye. Prior to this study, the role of Opn3 in the eye had not been investigated. This work adds OPN3 to the list of opsin family GPCRs that are implicated in emmetropization and myopia. Further, the work to exclude retinal OPN3 as the contributing domain in this refractive phenotype is unique and suggests a distinct mechanism when compared to other opsins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Linne
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Molecular & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Khine Yin Mon
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Shane D’Souza
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Molecular & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Heonuk Jeong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xiaoyan Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dillon M. Brown
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA
| | - Kevin Zhang
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Molecular & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Kazuo Tsubota
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Tsubota Laboratory, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihide Kurihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Photobiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Machelle T. Pardue
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Decatur, GA
| | - Richard A. Lang
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Science of Light Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
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Karthikeyan R, Davies WI, Gunhaga L. Non-image-forming functional roles of OPN3, OPN4 and OPN5 photopigments. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2023.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
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Vidafar P, Spitschan M. Light on Shedding: A Review of Sex and Menstrual Cycle Differences in the Physiological Effects of Light in Humans. J Biol Rhythms 2023; 38:15-33. [PMID: 36367137 PMCID: PMC9902977 DOI: 10.1177/07487304221126785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The human circadian system responds to light as low as 30 photopic lux. Furthermore, recent evidence shows that there are huge individual differences in light sensitivity, which may help to explain why some people are more susceptible to sleep and circadian disruption than others. The biological mechanisms underlying the differences in light sensitivity remain largely unknown. A key variable of interest in understanding these individual differences in light sensitivity is biological sex. It is possible that in humans, males and females differ in their sensitivity to light, but the evidence is inconclusive. This is in part due to the historic exclusion of women in biomedical research. Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle in women has often been cited as a confound by researchers. Attitudes, however, are changing with funding and publication agencies advocating for more inclusive research frameworks and mandating that women and minorities participate in scientific research studies. In this article, we distill the existing knowledge regarding the relationship between light and the menstrual cycle. There is some evidence of a relationship between light and the menstrual cycle, but the nature of this relationship seems dependent on the timing of the light source (sunlight, moonlight, and electric light at night). Light sensitivity may be influenced by biological sex and menstrual phase but there might not be any effect at all. To better understand the relationship between light, the circadian system, and the menstrual cycle, future research needs to be designed thoughtfully, conducted rigorously, and reported transparently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Vidafar
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Translational Sensory and Circadian Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Manuel Spitschan
- Translational Sensory and Circadian Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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Comprehensive Behavioral Analysis of Opsin 3 (Encephalopsin)-Deficient Mice Identifies Role in Modulation of Acoustic Startle Reflex. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0202-22.2022. [PMID: 36041828 PMCID: PMC9532019 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0202-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Opsin-3 (Opn3, encephalopsin) was the first nonvisual opsin gene discovered in mammals. Since then, several Opn3 functions have been described, and in two cases (adipose tissue, smooth muscle) light sensing activity is implicated. In addition to peripheral tissues, Opn3 is robustly expressed within the central nervous system, for which it derives its name. Despite this expression, no studies have investigated developmental or adult CNS consequences of Opn3 loss-of-function. Here, the behavioral consequences of mice deficient in Opn3 were investigated. Opn3-deficient mice perform comparably to wild-type mice in measures of motor coordination, socialization, anxiety-like behavior, and various aspects of learning and memory. However, Opn3-deficient mice have an attenuated acoustic startle reflex (ASR) relative to littermates. This deficit is not because of changes in hearing sensitivity, although Opn3 was shown to be expressed in auditory and vestibular structures, including cochlear outer hair cells. Interestingly, the ASR was not acutely light-dependent and did not vary between daytime and nighttime trials, despite known functions of Opn3 in photoreception and circadian gene amplitude. Together, these results demonstrate the first role of Opn3 on behavior, although the role of this opsin in the CNS remains largely elusive.
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Paganos P, Ullrich-Lüter E, Caccavale F, Zakrzewski A, Voronov D, Fournon-Berodia I, Cocurullo M, Lüter C, Arnone MI. A New Model Organism to Investigate Extraocular Photoreception: Opsin and Retinal Gene Expression in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Cells 2022; 11:2636. [PMID: 36078045 PMCID: PMC9454927 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular research on the evolution of extraocular photoreception has drawn attention to photosensitive animals lacking proper eye organs. Outside of vertebrates, little is known about this type of sensory system in any other deuterostome. In this study, we investigate such an extraocular photoreceptor cell (PRC) system in developmental stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. We provide a general overview of the cell type families present at the mature rudiment stage using single-cell transcriptomics, while emphasizing the PRCs complexity. We show that three neuronal and one muscle-like PRC type families express retinal genes prior to metamorphosis. Two of the three neuronal PRC type families express a rhabdomeric opsin as well as an echinoderm-specific opsin (echinopsin), and their genetic wiring includes sea urchin orthologs of key retinal genes such as hlf, pp2ab56e, barh, otx, ac/sc, brn3, six1/2, pax6, six3, neuroD, irxA, isl and ato. Using qPCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis, we found that the expressed retinal gene composition becomes more complex from mature rudiment to juvenile stage. The majority of retinal genes are expressed dominantly in the animals' podia, and in addition to the genes already expressed in the mature rudiment, the juvenile podia express a ciliary opsin, another echinopsin, and two Go-opsins. The expression of a core of vertebrate retinal gene orthologs indicates that sea urchins have an evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory toolkit that controls photoreceptor specification and function, and that their podia are photosensory organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Periklis Paganos
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Esther Ullrich-Lüter
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Filomena Caccavale
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Anne Zakrzewski
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Danila Voronov
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Inés Fournon-Berodia
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Cocurullo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Carsten Lüter
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Ina Arnone
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
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Liebert A, Pang V, Bicknell B, McLachlan C, Mitrofanis J, Kiat H. A Perspective on the Potential of Opsins as an Integral Mechanism of Photobiomodulation: It's Not Just the Eyes. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2022; 40:123-135. [PMID: 34935507 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2021.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the potential relationship between opsins and photobiomodulation. Background: Opsins and other photoreceptors occur in all phyla and are important in light-activated signaling and organism homeostasis. In addition to the visual opsin systems of the retina (OPN1 and OPN2), there are several non-visual opsins found throughout the body tissues, including encephalopsin/panopsin (OPN3), melanopsin (OPN4), and neuropsin (OPN5), as well as other structures that have light-sensitive properties, such as enzymes, ion channels, particularly those located in cell membranes, lysosomes, and neuronal structures such as the nodes of Ranvier. The influence of these structures on exposure to light, including self-generated light within the body (autofluorescence), on circadian oscillators, and circadian and ultradian rhythms have become increasingly reported. The visual and non-visual phototransduction cascade originating from opsins and other structures has potential significant mechanistic effects on tissues and health. Methods: A PubMed and Google Scholar search was made using the search terms "photobiomodulation", "light", "neuron", "opsins", "neuropsin", "melanopsin", "encephalopsin", "rhodopsin", and "chromophore". Results: This review was examined the influence of neuropsin (also known as kallikrein 8), encephalopsin, and melanopsin specifically on ion channel function, and more broadly on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The relationship between opsins 3, 4, and 5 and photobiomodulation mechanisms was evaluated, along with a proposed role of photobiomodulation through opsins and light-sensitive organelles as potential alleviators of symptoms and accelerators of beneficial regenerative processes. The potential clinical implications of this in musculoskeletal conditions, wounds, and in the symptomatic management of neurodegenerative disease was also examined. Conclusions: Systematic research into the pleotropic therapeutic role of photobiomodulation, mediated through its action on opsins and other light-sensitive organelles may assist in the future execution of safe, low-risk precision medicine for a variety of chronic and complex disease conditions, and for health maintenance in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Liebert
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Office of Governance and Research, San Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Brian Bicknell
- Faculty of Health Science, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney, Australia
| | | | - John Mitrofanis
- Clinatec, Fonds de Dotation-CEA, Universitè Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Hosen Kiat
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Cardiac Health Institute, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract
Rhodopsins are photoreceptive membrane proteins consisting of a common heptahelical transmembrane architecture that contains a retinal chromophore. Rhodopsin was first discovered in the animal retina in 1876, but a different type of rhodopsin, bacteriorhodopsin, was reported to be present in the cell membrane of an extreme halophilic archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum, 95 years later. Although these findings were made by physiological observation of pigmented tissue and cell bodies, recent progress in genomic and metagenomic analyses has revealed that there are more than 10,000 microbial rhodopsins and 9000 animal rhodopsins with large diversity and tremendous new functionality. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster, we provide an overview of the diversity of functions, structures, color discrimination mechanisms and optogenetic applications of these two rhodopsin families, and will also highlight the third distinctive rhodopsin family, heliorhodopsin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nagata
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Keiichi Inoue
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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Distinct Opsin 3 ( Opn3) Expression in the Developing Nervous System during Mammalian Embryogenesis. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0141-21.2021. [PMID: 34417283 PMCID: PMC8445036 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0141-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Opsin 3 (Opn3) is highly expressed in the adult brain, however, information for spatial and temporal expression patterns during embryogenesis is significantly lacking. Here, an Opn3-eGFP reporter mouse line was used to monitor cell body expression and axonal projections during embryonic and early postnatal to adult stages. By applying 2D and 3D fluorescence imaging techniques, we have identified the onset of Opn3 expression, which predominantly occurred during embryonic stages, in various structures during brain/head development. In addition, this study defines over twenty Opn3-eGFP-positive neural structures never reported before. Opn3-eGFP was first observed at E9.5 in neural regions, including the ganglia that will ultimately form the trigeminal, facial and vestibulocochlear cranial nerves (CNs). As development proceeds, expanded Opn3-eGFP expression coincided with the formation and maturation of critical components of the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS, PNS), including various motor-sensory tracts, such as the dorsal column-medial lemniscus (DCML) sensory tract, and olfactory, acoustic, and optic tracts. The widespread, yet distinct, detection of Opn3-eGFP already at early embryonic stages suggests that Opn3 might play important functional roles in the developing brain and spinal cord to regulate multiple motor and sensory circuitry systems, including proprioception, nociception, ocular movement, and olfaction, as well as memory, mood, and emotion. This study presents a crucial blueprint from which to investigate autonomic and cognitive opsin-dependent neural development and resultant behaviors under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
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Opsins outside the eye and the skin: a more complex scenario than originally thought for a classical light sensor. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:519-538. [PMID: 34236517 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03500-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of melanopsin as a retinal non-visual photopigment, opsins have been described in several organs and cells. This distribution is strikingly different from the classical localization of photopigments in light-exposed tissues such as the eyes and the skin. More than 10 years ago, a new paradigm in the field was created as opsins were shown, to detect not only light, but also thermal energy in Drosophila. In agreement with these findings, thermal detection by opsins was also reported in mammalian cells. Considering the presence of opsins in tissues not reached by light, an intriguing question has emerged: What is the role of a classical light-sensor, and more recently appreciated thermo-sensor, in these tissues? To tackle this question, we address in this review the most recent studies in the field, with emphasis in mammals. We provide the present view about the role of opsins in peripheral tissues, aiming to integrate the current knowledge of the presence and function of opsins in organs that are not directly affected by light.
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Upton BA, Díaz NM, Gordon SA, Van Gelder RN, Buhr ED, Lang RA. Evolutionary Constraint on Visual and Nonvisual Mammalian Opsins. J Biol Rhythms 2021; 36:109-126. [PMID: 33765865 PMCID: PMC8058843 DOI: 10.1177/0748730421999870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Animals have evolved light-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors, known as opsins, to detect coherent and ambient light for visual and nonvisual functions. These opsins have evolved to satisfy the particular lighting niches of the organisms that express them. While many unique patterns of evolution have been identified in mammals for rod and cone opsins, far less is known about the atypical mammalian opsins. Using genomic data from over 400 mammalian species from 22 orders, unique patterns of evolution for each mammalian opsins were identified, including photoisomerases, RGR-opsin (RGR) and peropsin (RRH), as well as atypical opsins, encephalopsin (OPN3), melanopsin (OPN4), and neuropsin (OPN5). The results demonstrate that OPN5 and rhodopsin show extreme conservation across all mammalian lineages. The cone opsins, SWS1 and LWS, and the nonvisual opsins, OPN3 and RRH, demonstrate a moderate degree of sequence conservation relative to other opsins, with some instances of lineage-specific gene loss. Finally, the photoisomerase, RGR, and the best-studied atypical opsin, OPN4, have high sequence diversity within mammals. These conservation patterns are maintained in human populations. Importantly, all mammalian opsins retain key amino acid residues important for conjugation to retinal-based chromophores, permitting light sensitivity. These patterns of evolution are discussed along with known functions of each atypical opsin, such as in circadian or metabolic physiology, to provide insight into the observed patterns of evolutionary constraint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A. Upton
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Molecular & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Nicolás M. Díaz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Shannon A. Gordon
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Russell N. Van Gelder
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Departments of Biological Structure and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ethan D. Buhr
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Richard A. Lang
- Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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12
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Wu AD, Dan W, Zhang Y, Vemaraju S, Upton BA, Lang RA, Buhr ED, Berkowitz DE, Gallos G, Emala CW, Yim PD. Opsin 3-G αs Promotes Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation Modulated by G Protein Receptor Kinase 2. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2021; 64:59-68. [PMID: 33058732 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2020-0392oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we characterized blue light-mediated relaxation (photorelaxation) of airway smooth muscle (ASM) and implicated the involvement of opsin 3 (OPN3), an atypical opsin. In the present study, we characterized the cellular signaling mechanisms of photorelaxation. We confirmed the functional role of OPN3 in blue light photorelaxation using trachea from OPN3 null mice (maximal relaxation 52 ± 13% compared with wild-type mice 90 ± 4.3%, P < 0.05). We then demonstrated colocalization of OPN3 and Gαs using co-IP and proximity ligation assays in primary human ASM cells, which was further supported by an increase in cAMP in mouse trachea treated with blue light compared with dark controls (23 ± 3.6 vs. 14 ± 2.6 pmol cAMP/ring, P < 0.05). Downstream PKA (protein kinase A) involvement was shown by inhibiting photorelaxation using Rp-cAMPS (P < 0.0001). Moreover, we observed converging mechanisms of desensitization by chronic β2-agonist exposure in mouse trachea and correlated this finding with colocalization of OPN3 and GRK2 (G protein receptor kinase) in primary human ASM cells. Finally, an overexpression model of OPN1LW (a red light photoreceptor in the same opsin family) in human ASM cells showed an increase in intracellular cAMP levels following red light exposure compared with nontransfected cells (48 ± 13 vs. 13 ± 2.1 pmol cAMP/mg protein, P < 0.01), suggesting a conserved photorelaxation mechanism for wavelengths of light that are more tissue penetrant. Together, these results demonstrate that blue light photorelaxation in ASM is mediated by the OPN3 receptor interacting with Gαs, which increases cAMP levels, activating PKA and modulated by GRK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - William Dan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute.,Divisions of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Center for Chronobiology, and
| | - Brian A Upton
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute.,Divisions of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Center for Chronobiology, and.,Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program.,Medical Scientist Training Program, and
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute.,Divisions of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Center for Chronobiology, and.,Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ethan D Buhr
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Dan E Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - George Gallos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Charles W Emala
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Peter D Yim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
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13
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Dan W, Park GH, Vemaraju S, Wu AD, Perez K, Rao M, Berkowitz DE, Lang RA, Yim PD. Light-Mediated Inhibition of Colonic Smooth Muscle Constriction and Colonic Motility via Opsin 3. Front Physiol 2021; 12:744294. [PMID: 34975518 PMCID: PMC8716924 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.744294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opsin photoreceptors outside of the central nervous system have been shown to mediate smooth muscle photorelaxation in several organs. We hypothesized that opsin receptor activation in the colon would have a similar effect and influence colonic motility. We detected Opsin 3 (OPN3) protein expression in the colonic wall and demonstrated that OPN3 was present in enteric neurons in the muscularis propria of the murine colon. Precontracted murine colon segments demonstrated blue light (BL) -mediated relaxation ex vivo. This photorelaxation was wavelength specific and was increased with the administration of the chromophore 9-cis retinal and a G protein receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) inhibitor. Light-mediated relaxation of the colon was not inhibited by L-NAME or tetrodotoxin (TTX). Furthermore, BL exposure in the presence of 9-cis retinal decreased the frequency of colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMC) in spontaneously contracting mouse colons ex vivo. These results demonstrate for the first time a receptor-mediated photorelaxation of colonic smooth muscle and implicate opsins as possible new targets in the treatment of spasmodic gastrointestinal dysmotility.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Dan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ga Hyun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Center for Chronobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Amy D Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kristina Perez
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Meenakshi Rao
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dan E Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Center for Chronobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Peter D Yim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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14
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Zhang KX, D'Souza S, Upton BA, Kernodle S, Vemaraju S, Nayak G, Gaitonde KD, Holt AL, Linne CD, Smith AN, Petts NT, Batie M, Mukherjee R, Tiwari D, Buhr ED, Van Gelder RN, Gross C, Sweeney A, Sanchez-Gurmaches J, Seeley RJ, Lang RA. Violet-light suppression of thermogenesis by opsin 5 hypothalamic neurons. Nature 2020; 585:420-425. [PMID: 32879486 PMCID: PMC8130195 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2683-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The opsin family of G-protein-coupled receptors are used as light detectors in animals. Opsin 5 (also known as neuropsin or OPN5) is a highly conserved opsin that is sensitive to visible violet light1,2. In mice, OPN5 is a known photoreceptor in the retina3 and skin4 but is also expressed in the hypothalamic preoptic area (POA)5. Here we describe a light-sensing pathway in which POA neurons that express Opn5 regulate thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). We show that Opn5 is expressed in glutamatergic warm-sensing POA neurons that receive synaptic input from several thermoregulatory nuclei. We further show that Opn5 POA neurons project to BAT and decrease its activity under chemogenetic stimulation. Opn5-null mice show overactive BAT, increased body temperature, and exaggerated thermogenesis when cold-challenged. Moreover, violet photostimulation during cold exposure acutely suppresses BAT temperature in wild-type mice but not in Opn5-null mice. Direct measurements of intracellular cAMP ex vivo show that Opn5 POA neurons increase cAMP when stimulated with violet light. This analysis thus identifies a violet light-sensitive deep brain photoreceptor that normally suppresses BAT thermogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin X Zhang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shane D'Souza
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian A Upton
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stace Kernodle
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shruti Vemaraju
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gowri Nayak
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kevin D Gaitonde
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Amanda L Holt
- Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Courtney D Linne
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - April N Smith
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nathan T Petts
- Division of Clinical Engineering, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthew Batie
- Division of Clinical Engineering, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Rajib Mukherjee
- Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ethan D Buhr
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Russell N Van Gelder
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alison Sweeney
- Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joan Sanchez-Gurmaches
- Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Randy J Seeley
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Richard A Lang
- The Visual Systems Group, Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Center for Chronobiology, Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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