The rhodopsin-encoding gene of bony fish lacks introns.

A study of the sequences of the rhodopsin-encoding genes (Rh) in eight fish species from two of the major subdivisions of the teleosts reveals that no introns are present in the coding region. This contrasts with the opsin-encoding genes of all other vertebrates where either four or five introns are invariably found. Phylogenetic analysis shows that this intronless teleost Rh is homologous to the intron-containing Rh of amphibia, birds and mammals. Possible mechanisms for intron loss are discussed, including replacement by homologous conversion of Rh with a processed cDNA.