A diterpene derived from the carotenoid VITAMIN A which functions as the active component of the visual cycle. It is the prosthetic group of RHODOPSIN (i.e., covalently bonded to ROD OPSIN as 11-cis-retinal). When stimulated by visible light, rhodopsin transforms this cis-isomer of retinal to the trans-isomer (11-trans-retinal). This transformation straightens-out the bend of the retinal molecule and causes a change in the shape of rhodopsin triggering the visual process. A series of energy-requiring enzyme-catalyzed reactions convert the 11-trans-retinal back to the cis-isomer.
Also Known As:
Retinal; Retinene; Vitamin A Aldehyde; 11-cis-Retinal; 11 cis Retinal; 11 trans Retinal; Aldehydde, Retinyl; Aldehyde, Vitamin A; all trans Retinal; 11-trans-Retinal; 3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-Nonatetraenal; Axerophthal; Retinyl Aldehydde; all-trans-Retinal