Cone bipolar cells of the vertebrate retina connect photoreceptors with ganglion cells to mediate photopic vision. Despite this important role, the mechanisms that regulate cone bipolar cell differentiation are poorly understood. VSX1 is a CVC domain homeoprotein specifically expressed in cone bipolar cells. To determine the function of VSX1, we generated Vsx1 mutant mice and found that Vsx1 mu...

To characterize rod and cone distribution and composition in two diurnal mouse-like rodents, retinas from adult Arvicanthis ansorgei and Lemniscomys barbarus were processed for immunohistochemistry using multiple rod- and cone-specific antibodies. Antibodies tested included rhodopsin, cone opsins, pan-arrestin and cone arrestin, recoverin, and cGMP dependent ion channel. In both species, retina...

Peanut agglutinin (PNA) was known for its selective binding to cone cells. In the present study, we investigated whether there was any difference in PNA binding among various subtypes of cone photoreceptor cells in the dace retina. The outer segments of the long-double- and long-single-cone cells were preferentially labeled with PNA. Ultrastructural pre-embedding labeling revealed that the bind...

In these notes we investigate the cone of nef curves of projective varieties, which is the dual cone to the cone of pseudo-effective divisors. We prove a structure theorem for the cone of nef curves of projective Q-factorial klt pairs of arbitrary dimension from the point of view of the Minimal Model Program. This is a generalization of Batyrev’s structure theorem for the cone of nef curves of ...

Citation: Ripamonti C, Aboshiha J, Henning GB, et al. Vision in observers with enhanced S-cone syndrome: an excess of S-cones but connected mainly to conventional S-cone pathways. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55:963–976. DOI:10.1167/iovs. 13-12897 PURPOSE. The effect of increased numbers of S-cone photoreceptors in enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) was investigated psychophysically in six ESCS...

PURPOSE Disruption of widely expressed essential genes in mice often leads to embryonic or neonatal lethality. To circumvent this problem and dissect gene functions in the cone photoreceptors, we elected to generate cone photoreceptor specific cre transgenic mice. METHODS Transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase directed by the human red/green pigment (HRGP) gene promoter were generated. Ca...

PURPOSE To compare local cone and rod system function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using electrophysiological and psychophysical techniques. METHODS Cone-mediated multifocal electroretinograms (M-ERGs), cone system threshold visual fields, rod-mediated M-ERGs, and rod system threshold visual fields were measured in seven patients with RP. RESULTS All the patients had normal co...

Mutations in the cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP, encoded by RLBP1) can lead to severe cone photoreceptor-mediated vision loss in patients. It is not known how CRALBP supports cone function or how altered CRALBP leads to cone dysfunction. Here, we determined that deletion of Rlbp1 in mice impairs the retinal visual cycle. Mice lacking CRALBP exhibited M-opsin mislocalization, M-c...

Connexin 36 (Cx36) is a channel-forming protein found in the membranes of apposed cells, forming the hexameric hemichannels of intercellular gap junction channels. It localizes to certain neurons in various regions of the brain including the retina. We characterized the expression pattern of neuronal Cx36 in the guinea pig retina by immunocytochemistry using specific antisera against Cx36 and g...