Analysis on the molecular mechanisms of wider dynamic range and higher time-resolution in cone photoreceptor cells.

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In vertebrate retina, there are two types of photoreceptor cells, called rods and cones. The time resolution of cone mediated vision is higher than that of rod-mediated vision. This higher time-resolution depends on shorter responses of cones. It is also known that the range of light-intensity that cone can mediate is wider than that of rod. In this study, the underlying mechanisms of cone-specific responses are studied. The results show that the lifetime of activated enzymes, working in the phototransduction mechanism, are shorter in cones than in rods. And It is also revealed that the enzymatic activities in the phototransduction mechanism are more highly modulated in cones than in rods. These findings show molecular bases of the cone specific photoresponses.