The GNAT1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called alpha (α)-transducin. This protein is one part (the alpha subunit) of a protein complex called transducin. There are several versions of transducin made up of different subunits. Each version is found in a particular cell type in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina), where it plays a role in transmitting visual signals from the eye to the brain.
The transducin complex that contains α-transducin is found only in specialized light receptor cells in the retina called rods. Rods are responsible for vision in low-light conditions. When light enters the eye, a rod cell protein called rhodopsin is turned on (activated), which then activates α-transducin. Once activated, α-transducin breaks away from the transducin complex in order to activate another protein called cGMP-PDE, which triggers a series of chemical reactions that create electrical signals. These signals are transmitted from rod cells to the brain, where they are interpreted as vision.
Other Names
CSNBAD3; GBT1; GNAT1_HUMAN; GNATR; guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), alpha transducing activity polypeptide 1; guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(t) subunit alpha-1; guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(T), alpha-1 subunit; rod-type transducin alpha subunit; transducin alpha-1 chain; transducin, rod-specific
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 2779
- OMIM: 139330
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
