Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic retinal ON-bipolar cell-specific promoter sequences and their use in therapeutic transgene delivery to the eye for the improvement and/or restoration of vision. The invention features metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) promoters for an increased and more specific expression in ON-bipolar cells, in particular in cone ON-bipolar cells of the human macula.

Abstract: A light-sensitive chimeric protein includes domains from at least two members of the G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPCR) protein super family, which are fused to yield a light-sensitive GPCR chimera capable of coupling a light signal to the signaling cascade of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) is provided for medical therapy and pharmaceuticals for treating loss of vision, in particular resulting from retinal photoreceptor degeneration. A first GPCR family member contributes domains which mediate the light-sensitivity to the chimeric light-sensitive GPCR protein and belongs to the family of light-sensitive GPCR proteins also called photopigments. In some cases, the GPCR protein is melanopsin, in particular human melanopsin. A second of the at least two GPCR family members is mGluR6, which contributes domains for coupling the light signal to the intracellular signaling cascade of mGluR6, which is a native component of the cell membrane of ON-bipolar cells in the inner retina.

Abstract: A light-sensitive chimeric protein comprising domains from at least two members of the G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPCR) protein super family, which are fused to yield a light-sensitive GPCR chimera capable of coupling a light signal to the signaling cascade of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) is provided for medical therapy and for the manufacture of medicaments for improving vision, in particular for treating loss of vision resulting from retinal photoreceptor degeneration. A first of the at least two GPCR family members contributes domains which mediate the light-sensitivity to the chimeric light-sensitive GPCR protein. This first member belongs to the family of light-sensitive GPCR proteins also called photopigments, and in some embodiments this light-sensitive GPCR protein is melanopsin, in particular human melanopsin.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant channelrhodopsins having improved properties, nucleic acid constructs encoding same, expression vectors carrying the nucleic acid construct, cells comprising said nucleic acid construct or expression vector, and their respective uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant channelrhodopsins having improved properties, nucleic acid constructs encoding same, expression vectors carrying the nucleic acid construct, cells comprising said nucleic acid construct or expression vector, and their respective uses.