Rhodopsin evolution in the dark
Article Abstract:
The relationship between protein function and structure and its effect on gene evolution can be investigated using the gene for visual pigment rhodopsin. A study of the rate of evolution of rhodopsin genes in cave-dwelling and surface-dwelling freshwater cray-fish species shows no difference between their evolution rates, despite a loss of functional constraint. It is concluded that rhodopsin has a previously unrecognized function when light is absent.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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X-ray crystal structure of arrestin from bovine rod outer segments
Article Abstract:
The three-dimensional structure of bovine arrestin is reported at 3.3 A resolution. It consists of two domains of anti-parallel beta-sheets linked via a hinge region and a short alpha-helix on the amino-terminal fold. The binding region for phosphorlyated light-activated rhodopsin is sited at the N-terminal domain.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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