..., Xenopus laevis . Since melanopsin is a known photoreceptor pigment with diverse functions in vertebrates, we suggest that the lateral line of Xenopus laevis , which is primarily a mechanoreceptor, might also be light sensitive. Potential functions of such photosensitivity are discussed, including its role...

... decrease further, because light stimuli decrease Ca 2+ influx through the photosensitive channel but do not suppress the Na + /Ca 2+ exchange pump ( Yau & Nakatani, 1985 ). The decrease in [Ca 2+ ] 1 would activate guanylate cyclase (Koch & Stryer, 1988) and then induce an increase of [cyclic...

... the photosensitive behaviour. Fig. 2. Circadian change of swimming velocity. The first 2 days were under 12 h: 12 h L: D conditions (LD), then the cells were kept under constant illumination (LL). The swimming velocities of 10–40 cells were averaged. Vertical lines show ± S.D. A circadian change...