Molecular genetics of human color vision: The genes encoding blue, green, and red pigments

Jeremy Nathans, Darcy Thomas, David S. Hogness

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1124 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human color vision is based on three light-sensitive pigments. The isolation and sequencing of genomic and complementary DNA clones that encode the apoproteins of these three pigments are described. The deduced amino acid sequences show 41 ± 1 percent identity with rhodopsin. The red and green pigments show 96 percent mutual identity but only 43 percent identity with the blue pigment. Green pigment genes vary in number among color-normal individuals and, together with a single red pigment gene, are proposed to reside in a head-to-tail tandem array within the X chromosome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)196-202
Number of pages7
JournalScience
Volume232
Issue number4747
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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