ABCR Pathway
Under some circumstances, the spent chromophore may leave the opsin molecule prior to its replacement, when it is bound to the ABCR protein, when it is also transformed to all-trans retinol, and then leaves the photoreceptor outer segment via the IRBP chaperone. It then follows the conventional pathway of recycling. It is from this pathway that the presence of opsin without a chromophore can be explained.
Read more about this topic: Bleach And Recycle
Famous quotes containing the word pathway:
“Many are obstinate with regard to the pathway once they have set upon it, few with regard to the goal.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)