Molecular genetics of human color vision: the genes encoding blue, green, and red pigments

Science. 1986 Apr 11;232(4747):193-202. doi: 10.1126/science.2937147.

Abstract

Human color vision is based on three light-sensitive pigments. The isolation and sequencing of genomic and complementary DNA clones that encode the apoproteins of these three pigments are described. The deduced amino acid sequences show 41 +/- 1 percent identity with rhodopsin. The red and green pigments show 96 percent mutual identity but only 43 percent identity with the blue pigment. Green pigment genes vary in number among color-normal individuals and, together with a single red pigment gene, are proposed to reside in a head-to-tail tandem array within the X chromosome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Biological Evolution
  • Cattle
  • Cebidae
  • Cercopithecidae
  • Color
  • Color Perception / physiology*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / physiology
  • Genes*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Photoreceptor Cells / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Retinal Pigments / genetics*
  • Retinaldehyde / physiology
  • Rhodopsin / genetics
  • Rod Opsins
  • X Chromosome

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Retinal Pigments
  • Rod Opsins
  • long-wavelength opsin
  • middle-wavelength opsin
  • DNA
  • Rhodopsin
  • Retinaldehyde

Associated data

  • GENBANK/K03490
  • GENBANK/K03491
  • GENBANK/K03492
  • GENBANK/K03493
  • GENBANK/K03494
  • GENBANK/K03495
  • GENBANK/K03496
  • GENBANK/K03497
  • GENBANK/M13295
  • GENBANK/M13296
  • GENBANK/M13297
  • GENBANK/M13298
  • GENBANK/M13299
  • GENBANK/M13300
  • GENBANK/M13301
  • GENBANK/M13302
  • GENBANK/M13303
  • GENBANK/M13304
  • GENBANK/M13305
  • GENBANK/M13306