The zebrafish ultraviolet cone opsin reported previously is expressed in rods

Abstract

Purpose: To examine expression of the zebrafish ultraviolet cone opsin pigment in goldfish and zebrafish retinas.

Methods: Digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes were prepared by run-off transcription from plasmids containing cDNAs for zebrafish ultraviolet opsin, goldfish ultraviolet cone opsin, and goldfish rod opsin. Probes were hybridized to cryosections of retina and visualized with immunocytochemistry.

Results: The zebrafish ultraviolet opsin probe hybridized selectively to rod photoreceptors, but not to ultraviolet cones or any other cone type, in both zebrafish and goldfish retinas, and the pattern of expression was identical to that of the goldfish rod opsin probe. The goldfish ultraviolet opsin, in contrast, hybridized to ultraviolet cone photoreceptors in both goldfish and zebrafish.

Conclusions: The cDNA previously identified by Robinson et al as zebrafish ultraviolet opsin is not a cone opsin but is likely to be a rod opsin.