G protein subunit alpha transducin 1

Normal function

Der GNAT1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called alpha (α)-transducin. This protein is one part (the alpha subunit) of a protein complex called transducin. There are several versions of transducin made up of different subunits. Each version is found in a particular cell type in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina), where it plays a role in transmitting visual signals from the eye to the brain.

The transducin complex that contains α-transducin is found only in specialized light receptor cells in the retina called rods. Rods are responsible for vision in low-light conditions. When light enters the eye, a rod cell protein called rhodopsin is turned on (activated), which then activates α-transducin. Once activated, α-transducin breaks away from the transducin complex in order to activate another protein called cGMP-PDE, which triggers a series of chemical reactions that create electrical signals. These signals are transmitted from rod cells to the brain, where they are interpreted as vision.

Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome

• Autosomal dominant congenital stationary night blindness

Other names

CSNBAD3

GBT1

GNAT1_HUMAN

GNATR

guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), alpha transducing activity polypeptide 1

guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(t) subunit alpha-1

guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(T), alpha-1 subunit

rod-type transducin alpha subunit

transducin alpha-1 chain

transducin, rod-specific