Signal Transduction in Photoreceptor Cells

This book deals with the mechanism of signal transduction in vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors. It contains contributions on the structure and function of rhodopsin or other G-coupled receptors, on the regulation of second messengers by enzyme cascade, the role of Ca2+ in light adaptation, control of ionic channels in photoreceptor cells. Some key points: Rhodopsin - structure and function; transducin and phosphodiesterase; arrestin and kinase; cGMP-gated channel; role of Ca2+ in photoreceptors; transduction in invertebrates; eyes of halobacteria.