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. Belongs to the paired homeobox family.

Photoreceptor-specific nuclear receptor; Orphan nuclear receptor of retinal photoreceptor cells. Transcriptional factor that is an activator of rod development and repressor of cone development. Binds the promoter region of a number of rod- and cone-specific genes, including rhodopsin, M- and S-opsin and rod-specific phosphodiesterase beta subunit. Enhances rhodopsin expression. Represses M- and S-cone opsin expression. Belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. NR2 subfamily.

Rhodopsin; Photoreceptor required for image-forming vision at low light intensity. Required for photoreceptor cell viability after birth. Light- induced isomerization of the chromophore 11-cis-retinal to all-trans- retinal triggers a conformational change that activates signaling via G-proteins. Subsequent receptor phosphorylation mediates displacement of the bound G-protein alpha subunit by the arrestin SAG and terminates signaling.

Flt3-interacting zinc finger protein 1; May be a transcriptional repressor of NRL function in photoreceptors. Does not repress CRX-mediated transactivation (By similarity).

Rod cGMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase subunit beta; This protein participates in processes of transmission and amplification of the visual signal. Necessary for the formation of a functional phosphodiesterase holoenzyme; Belongs to the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase family.

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. 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 effector proteins, [...]

Retinal rod rhodopsin-sensitive cGMP 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase subunit gamma; Participates in processes of transmission and amplification of the visual signal. cGMP-PDEs are the effector molecules in G- protein-mediated phototransduction in vertebrate rods and cones.

cGMP-gated cation channel alpha-1; Subunit of the rod cyclic GMP-gated cation channel, which is involved in the final stage of the phototransduction pathway. When light hits rod photoreceptors, cGMP concentrations decrease causing rapid closure of CNGA1/CNGB1 channels and, therefore, hyperpolarization of the membrane potential.