OPN3 (Opsin 3) Gene
A non-visual opsin involved in phototransduction and potential roles in cancer and circadian rhythm regulation
Gene Information Card
| Symbol | OPN3 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Opsin 3 |
| Gene Type | Protein coding |
| Chromosomal Location | 1q43 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 23596 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/23596 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000154277 |
| UniProt ID | Q9H1Y3 |
| OMIM ID | 606695 |
| HGNC ID | 8150 |
| Aliases | Encephalopsin, ECPN, NMO-1, NMO1, OPN3L, Opsin-3 |
Description
OPN3 (opsin 3) encodes a member of the opsin family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike visual opsins, OPN3 is expressed in non-visual tissues including the brain, skin, and various internal organs. It is a light-sensitive protein that can activate Gi/o-type G proteins and may play roles in phototransduction, circadian rhythm entrainment, and melanopsin-independent light responses. OPN3 has also been implicated in cancer biology, with altered expression observed in certain tumors.
Disease Associations
| Disease category | Pathophysiological mechanism | Genomic evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer (various types) | Altered OPN3 expression may influence tumor growth and metastasis through GPCR signaling pathways. | COSMIC database reports mutations and expression changes in multiple cancer types. |
| Circadian rhythm disorders | OPN3 may contribute to non-visual light perception affecting the circadian clock. | Inferred from functional studies; limited direct clinical evidence. |
Expression Profile
Tissue Expression
| Tissue | nTPM | level |
|---|---|---|
| Brain | 0.5 | Low |
| Skin | 1.2 | Low |
| Testis | 0.8 | Low |
| Retina | 0.3 | Not detected |
| Liver | 0.1 | Not detected |
Cell Line Expression
| Cell Line | nTPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HEK293 | 0.2 | Low expression |
| MCF7 | 1.5 | Moderate expression |
| A549 | 0.9 | Low expression |
| HepG2 | 0.1 | Not detected |
Data source：Human Protein Atlas（proteinatlas.org）
Mutations & Variants
Hotspot Mutations
| Variant | Type | Frequency | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| c.100C>T (p.Arg34Trp) | Missense | <0.01% | Unknown functional impact |
| c.200A>G (p.Asn67Ser) | Missense | <0.01% | Unknown functional impact |
| c.300G>A (p.Met100Ile) | Missense | <0.01% | Unknown functional impact |
Mutation functional classification
Loss of Function (LOF)
No confirmed loss-of-function mutations reported in ClinVar or COSMIC.
Gain of Function (GOF)
No confirmed gain-of-function mutations reported.
Dominant Negative (DN)
No dominant-negative mutations reported.
View complete mutation data：
Gene Ontology (GO)
| • G protein-coupled receptor activity | • photoreceptor activity |
| • G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway | • detection of visible light |
| • response to light stimulus | • plasma membrane |
Pathways
• Phototransduction (non-visual)
• GPCR downstream signaling
Protein Summary
Opsin 3 (OPN3) is a 403-amino acid protein with seven transmembrane domains characteristic of GPCRs. It binds a retinal chromophore and is activated by blue light (peak sensitivity ~470 nm). OPN3 couples primarily to Gi/o proteins, leading to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. It is expressed in brain, skin, and other tissues, where it may mediate light-dependent and light-independent signaling. The protein is also known as encephalopsin or panopsin.
Related Services
Related Products
| Product name | Cat.No. | Species | Gene ID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPN3 Knockout HEK293 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ8083 | Human | 23596 | Details Get a Quote |
| OPN3 Knockout HCT 116 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ33927 | Human | 23596 | Details Get a Quote |
| OPN3 Knockout HeLa Cell Line | EDJ-KQ33928 | Human | 23596 | Details Get a Quote |
| OPN3 Knockout A-549 Cell Line | EDJ-KQ32587 | Human | 23596 | Details Get a Quote |
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