Visual pigments are the light-absorbing molecules that mediate vision. They consist of an apoprotein, opsin, covalently linked to cis-retinal (Probable). Required for the maintenance of cone outer segment organization in the ventral retina, but not essential for the maintenance of functioning cone photoreceptors (By similarity). Involved in ensuring correct abundance and localization of retinal membrane proteins (By similarity). May increase spectral sensitivity in dim light (By similarity). The three color pigments are found in the cone photoreceptor cells (PubMed:2937147). Expressed throughout the epidermis and dermis, primarily in the stratum granulosum in the facial and abdominal skin (at protein level) (PubMed:30168605). Expressed in dermal fibroblasts (at protein level) (PubMed:31380578). Expressed in melanocytes (at protein level) (PubMed:31730232). Induced by ultraviolet A light in dermal fibroblasts. Phosphorylated on some or all of the serine and threonine residues present in the C-terminal region. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. Opsin subfamily. Retina International's Scientific Newsletter