Rod opsin cDNA sequence from the sand goby ( Pomatoschistus minutus ) compared with those of other vertebrates

Abstract

The absorbance spectra of rods from the sand goby were measured by using microspectrophotometry. Analysis of the averaged spectra shows that the rod visual pigment has a maximum absorbance ($\lambda _{\max}$) at approximately 501 nm. A sand goby retinal cDNA library was constructed and then screened with a partial sand goby rod opsin clone obtained by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The screening of the library yielded a full length rod opsin clone. The cDNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of this clone are compared with those of other vertebrate rod opsins.