Nature Sub-Journal: A deeper understanding of how vision works

PSI scientists have revealed an important part of the eye: a protein in the rod-shaped cells of the retina, which helps us see clearly in dim light

"Thanks to the rod-shaped cells in our eyes, we can observe the stars in the night sky," explains Jacopo Marino, a biologist at the PSI Biomolecular Research Laboratory

Ion channels play the role of gatekeepers, controlling whether specific particles are allowed to enter the interior of the recipient cell

This electrochemical signal continues to enter the visual cortex of the brain through nerve cells, where it produces a visual impression, such as a flash of light

Got a reward

Doctoral student Diane Barrett must first extract channel proteins from the eyes of cattle provided by the slaughterhouse-a complicated and arduous process

Then, the scientists used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the three-dimensional structure of ion channels

One of the reasons why a clearer understanding of the natural structure of channel proteins is important is to promote the development of treatment of genetic diseases, for which there is no known cure, such as retinitis pigmentosa

Jacopo Marino explained: “If we can find the molecules that affect the protein and close the channel completely, we can prevent cell death and thus prevent people from blindness

Additional obstacles

The protein consists of four parts: 3 subunits A and 1 subunit b

"No one expected this-it was a total surprise," Diane Barret said

Article title

The structure of the native CNGA1/CNGB1 CNG channel from retinal rods