OPN-a / b Antibody

Background

Opsin-5, also known as OPN5, is a recently discovered opsin protein involved in non-visual light sensing. It belongs to the family of opsins that are sensitive to light but are not involved in traditional vision processes like those in rod and cone cells. OPN5 is thought to play a role in various physiological processes, such as regulating circadian rhythms, influencing mood, and potentially modulating the response to light in certain tissues. Unlike opsins involved in visual photoreception, OPN5 is activated by light in the ultraviolet and blue regions of the spectrum. Its expression has been identified in several tissues, including the brain and skin, where it likely contributes to the body's light-responsive mechanisms. OPN5 may play a role in regulating sleep-wake cycles, similar to melanopsin, but it is less understood. Further research into OPN5's specific functions and its mechanisms of action could provide new insights into how the body processes light outside the visual system and how light exposure affects various biological rhythms and behaviors.