The extraretinal photoreceptor OPSIN3 in the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of water balance, body temperature and motor activity. The extraretinal photoreceptor OPSIN3 in the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of water balance, body temperature and motor activity

To explore the role of the light-sensitive protein OPSIN3 in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus, we knocked down the gene encoding this protein (Opn3) in one SON of sprague dawley rats by delivering a Opn3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). A non-targeting ShRNA was delivered to the opppsite SON in the same rat as a contros.We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of 5 different rats at one time point. Overall design: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data for Opn3 knock down SON samples in comparison to control SON samples.