S-arrestin is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''SAG''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

. Members of arrestin/beta-arrestin protein family are thought to participate in agonist-mediated desensitization of

G-protein-coupled receptor G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-(pass)-transmembrane domain receptors, 7TM receptors, heptahelical receptors, serpentine receptors, and G protein-linked receptors (GPLR), form a large group of evolutionarily-related p ...

s and cause specific dampening of cellular responses to stimuli such as

hormone A hormone (from the Greek participle , "setting in motion") is a class of signaling molecules in multicellular organisms that are sent to distant organs by complex biological processes to regulate physiology and behavior. Hormones are require ...

s, neurotransmitters, or sensory signals. S-arrestin, also known as S-antigen, is a major soluble

in photoreceptor cells that is involved in desensitization of the photoactivated transduction cascade. It is expressed in the

retina The retina (from la, rete "net") is the innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye of most vertebrates and some molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focused two-dimensional image of the visual world on the retina, which then ...

and the pineal gland and inhibits coupling of rhodopsin to

transducin Transducin (Gt) is a protein naturally expressed in vertebrate retina rods and cones and it is very important in vertebrate phototransduction. It is a type of heterotrimeric G-protein with different α subunits in rod and cone photoreceptors. L ...

in vitro. Additionally, S-arrestin is highly antigenic, and is capable of inducing experimental

autoimmune In immunology, autoimmunity is the system of immune responses of an organism against its own healthy cells, tissues and other normal body constituents. Any disease resulting from this type of immune response is termed an "autoimmune disease". ...

uveoretinitis. Mutations in this gene have been associated with

Oguchi disease Oguchi disease is an autosomal recessive form of congenital stationary night blindness associated with fundus discoloration and abnormally slow dark adaptation. Genetics Several mutations have been implicated as a cause of Oguchi disease. Thes ...

, a rare autosomal recessive form of night blindness.

References

Further reading