PUBLICATION

Enlightening the brain: Linking deep brain photoreception with behavior and physiology

Authors
Fernandes, A.M., Fero, K., Driever, W., and Burgess, H.A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-130708-4
Date
2013
Source
BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology   35(9): 775-9 (Review)
Registered Authors
Burgess, Harold, Driever, Wolfgang
Keywords
behavior, deep brain photoreceptors, melanopsin, neurohormones, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Brain/physiology*
  • Humans
  • Neurotransmitter Agents/physiology
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate/physiology*
  • Retina/physiology
  • Vision, Ocular
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
23712321 Full text @ Bioessays
Abstract

Vertebrates respond to light with more than just their eyes. In this article, we speculate on the intriguing possibility that a link remains between non-visual opsins and neurohormonal systems that control neuronal circuit formation and activity in mammals. Historically, the retina and pineal gland were considered the only significant light-sensing tissues in vertebrates. However over the last century, evidence has accumulated arguing that extra-ocular tissues in vertebrates influence behavior through non-image-forming photoreception. One such class of extra-ocular light detectors are the long mysterious deep brain photoreceptors. Here, we review recent findings on the cellular identity and the function of deep brain photoreceptors controlling behavior and physiology in zebrafish, and discuss their implications.

Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping