Figure 7.
Photochemical modeling of B6mr compared with Rh6mr. B6mr and R6mr feature the red-shifted λmax relative to WT blue cone opsin and Rh (at 440 and 505 nm, respectively). Upon prolonged light illumination, B6mr is converted to the active Meta-II–like state, and 11-cis-6mr-retinal (6mr) is released from the binding pocket, whereas Rh6mr displays reversible photochemical behavior, resulting in back-conversion of its Meta-II–like state to the ground R6mr state. Calculated quantum yields (φ) of B6mr and R6mr were 0.0047 and 0.027, respectively. * indicates the photoactivated (Meta II-like) state of B6mr and Rh6mr.