S-arrestin; Binds to photoactivated, phosphorylated RHO and terminates RHO signaling via G-proteins by competing with G-proteins for the same binding site on RHO. May play a role in preventing light-dependent degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells ; Belongs to the arrestin family.

Interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan 1; May interact with hyaluronan which may serve to form a basic macromolecular scaffold comprising the insoluble interphotoreceptor matrix.

Recoverin; Acts as a calcium sensor and regulates phototransduction of cone and rod photoreceptor cells (By similarity). Modulates light sensitivity of cone photoreceptor in dark and dim conditions. In response to high Ca(2+) levels induced by low light levels, prolongs RHO/rhodopsin activation in rod photoreceptor cells by binding to and inhibiting GRK1-mediated phosphorylation of RHO/rhodopsin (By similarity). Plays a role in scotopic vision/enhances vision in dim light by enhancing signal transfer between rod photoreceptors and rod bipolar cells. Improves rod photoreceptor sensitivi [...]

Retinoid isomerohydrolase; Critical isomerohydrolase in the retinoid cycle involved in regeneration of 11-cis-retinal, the chromophore of rod and cone opsins. Catalyzes the cleavage and isomerization of all-trans-retinyl fatty acid esters to 11-cis-retinol which is further oxidized by 11-cis retinol dehydrogenase to 11-cis-retinal for use as visual chromophore. Essential for the production of 11-cis retinal for both rod and cone photoreceptors. Also capable of catalyzing the isomerization of lutein to meso-zeaxanthin an eye-specific carotenoid. The soluble form binds vitamin A (all-tra [...]

Cone-rod homeobox protein; Transcription factor that binds and transactivates the sequence 5'-TAATC[CA]-3' which is found upstream of several photoreceptor-specific genes, including the opsin genes. Acts synergistically with other transcription factors, such as NRL, RORB and RAX, to regulate photoreceptor cell-specific gene transcription. Essential for the maintenance of mammalian photoreceptors.

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(t) subunit alpha-1; Functions as signal transducer for the rod photoreceptor RHO. Required for normal RHO-mediated light perception by the retina (By similarity). Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) function as transducers downstream of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the photoreceptor RHO. The alpha chain contains the guanine nucleotide binding site and alternates between an active, GTP-bound state and an inactive, GDP-bound state. Activated RHO promotes GDP release and GTP binding. Signaling is mediated via downstream eff [...]

Phosducin; Inhibits the transcriptional activation activity of the cone- rod homeobox CRX (By similarity). May participate in the regulation of visual phototransduction or in the integration of photoreceptor metabolism; Belongs to the phosducin family.

Retinaldehyde-binding protein 1; Soluble retinoid carrier essential the proper function of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Participates in the regeneration of active 11-cis-retinol and 11-cis-retinaldehyde, from the inactive 11- trans products of the rhodopsin photocycle and in the de novo synthesis of these retinoids from 11-trans metabolic precursors. The cycling of retinoids between photoreceptor and adjacent pigment epithelium cells is known as the 'visual cycle'.

Short-wave-sensitive opsin 1; Visual pigments are the light-absorbing molecules that mediate vision. They consist of an apoprotein, opsin, covalently linked to cis-retinal (By similarity). Required for the maintenance of cone outer segment organization in the ventral retina, but not essential for the maintenance of functioning cone photoreceptors. Involved in ensuring correct abundance and localization of retinal membrane proteins. May increase spectral sensitivity in dim light.