Abstract 1415 An Analysis of The Impact of Redox Signaling on Protein-Protein Interactions in Drosophila Phototransduction

Drosophila phototransduction is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) phosphoinositide cascade that occurs in the rhabdomere, a specialized membrane organelle in the photoreceptor cell. Phototransduction begins when the GPCR, Rhodopsin 1 (Rh1), is activated by blue light. As a result of Rh1 activation, phospholipase C (NORPA) is stimulated by the alpha subunit of the G-protein to produce diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol triphosphate (IP3) from phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2). Generation of DAG and IP3 trigger the opening of calcium channels, generating an influx of Ca+2 into the rhabdomere.