Deep brain photoreceptors control light-seeking behavior in zebrafish larvae
18.09.2012
Fernandes AM, Fero K, Arrenberg AB, Bergeron SA, Driever W, Burgess HA.
Curr Biol. 2012; 22(21):2042-7
We combined genetics and behavioral analyses to identify deep brain photosensors. Orthopedia (otpa)-deficient fish show a profound reduction in dark photokinesis, a simple light-seeking behavior triggered by loss of illumination. In the preoptic area, expression of the melanopsin opn4a is selectively lost in otpa mutants, suggesting that opn4a mediates dark photokinesis. Our findings reveal identity and function of deep brain photoreceptors and suggest that otpa specifies an ancient population of sensory neurons that mediate behavioral responses to light.
