Opsin evolution and expression in arthropod compound eyes and ocelli: insights from the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Opsins are key proteins in animal photoreception. Together with a light-sensitive group, the chromophore, they form visual pigments which initiate the visual transduction cascade when photoactivated. The spectral absorption properties of visual pigments are mainly determined by their opsins, and thus opsins are crucial for understanding the adaptations of animal eyes. Studies on the phylogeny and expression pattern of opsins have received considerable attention, but our knowledge about insect visual opsins is still limited. Up to now, researchers have focused on holometabolous insects, while general conclusions require sampling from a broader range of taxa. We have therefore investigated visual opsins in the ocelli and compound eyes of the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bim

SUBMITTER: Henze MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3502269 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature