Color Blind? Just 3 Amino Acids Separate Red From Green Vision

Researchers found that primate red- and green-sensitive cone pigments differ mainly at three amino acid positions.

These small changes shift light absorption peaks by about 30 nanometers, helping cones distinguish red from green.

The result clarifies the molecular basis of red-green color vision in primates.

The study used cryo-electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and modeling on cone pigments from crab-eating macaques.

The findings may help guide future diagnosis or treatment of color vision deficiencies.