Rhodopsin kinase
Rhodopsin kinase (also known as GRK1) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the GRK1 gene. It is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family and plays a key role in the visual phototransduction pathway.
Function[edit | edit source]
Rhodopsin kinase is a key player in the visual phototransduction cascade, which is a process that converts light into electrical signals in the photoreceptor cells of the retina. The kinase is responsible for the phosphorylation of the light-activated form of rhodopsin (metarhodopsin II), which initiates the deactivation and recovery processes of the phototransduction cascade.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The structure of rhodopsin kinase is similar to that of other protein kinases. It has a catalytic domain and a regulatory domain. The catalytic domain is responsible for the phosphorylation of rhodopsin, while the regulatory domain is involved in the recognition and binding of the substrate.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Mutations in the GRK1 gene can lead to various forms of night blindness. For example, Oguchi disease, a rare form of stationary night blindness, is caused by mutations in either the GRK1 gene or the arrestin gene.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD