OPN1LW

G protein-coupled photoreceptor that selectively activates transducin G alpha protein (G(t)) in response to long-wavelength (red) light. This activation leads to increased cGMP phosphodiesterase activity, resulting in decreased intracellular cGMP and subsequent closure of cGMP-gated ion channels. The process is initiated when the opsin-bound cis-retinal chromophore absorbs a photon and isomerizes to all-trans-retinal, inducing a conformational change in the opsin that triggers the G protein-mediated phototransduction cascade. Mediates visual perception of red light in cone photoreceptor cells..

Function from UniProtKB (P04000), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.