Talk:OPN5

Maybe we are all tetrachromats after all?

For me it was shocking to know that this UV-sensitive photopigment exists in humans, and mice too. Could this prove that we are all tetrachromats after all? But we can't still see near-UV due to our thick lens. Mice can see UV due to their thinner lens. 94.180.96.59 (talk) 19:49, 29 June 2020 (UTC)

Nope, for the neuropsin needs to be expressed in the cones. There seems to be some expression of melanopsin in cones. However, meloanopsin should only couple inefficiently if at all to the cone-phototransduction cascade. So only some tetrachromate effect in very bright light. So have fun while staring into the sun, of course this way it won't be of any use. It is biologically not relevant, however it is interesting and may be evolutionary relevant.

In fact, there are some people who might be tetrachromats, however only women, because it requires two X-chromosomes. With one of the X-chromosomes bearing an LWS cone opsin with spectral sensitives in the middle between the red and green opsin. Therefore their fathers or suns may be what is commonly called color-blind. -- Martin Gühmann (talk) 03:29, 20 December 2021 (UTC)