Opsin 1, short-wave-sensitive (blue cone photoreceptor pigment) (OPN1SW)

Opsin 1, short-wave-sensitive (OPN1SW) is a **G protein-coupled receptor** located in the cone cells of the human retina and is responsible for the absorption of **short-wavelength (blue/violet) light**, enabling blue color vision[2][3][5][10]. OPN1SW is essential for normal color discrimination and initiates phototransduction by triggering a signaling cascade upon light absorption in “S” (short-wavelength) cones[2][3]. Mutations in OPN1SW are associated with **tritanopia**, a rare form of inherited color vision deficiency characterized by the inability to distinguish blue from yellow, and with less severe abnormal S-cone function known as tritanomaly[2][5]. The molecule is classified in the rhodopsin-like GPCR family and shares structural properties with other opsins but is specifically tuned to blue light[1][5]. No approved drugs target OPN1SW, but molecular and genetic tests are available for research and clinical diagnostics of related color vision deficiencies[2][5].

Other names

Blue cone photoreceptor pigmentBlue cone pigmentBlue-sensitive opsinS cone pigmentBOPBCPOPSIN 1, SHORT-WAVE-SENSITIVEOPSB_HUMANOpsin 1 (cone pigments), short-wave-sensitiveS-pigmentShort-wave-sensitive pigment

Not applicable (no known drugs targeting OPN1SW); opsin function is intrinsic to visual signaling and not the current subject of drug modulation