New 26 kDa protein specific for photoreceptor cells, capable of binding with immobilized delipidized rhodopsin

A protein p26 with molecular weight 26 kDa capable of binding to delipidated rhodopsin immobilized on Concanavalin A-Sepharose was found in photoreceptor cells of bovine retina. Mono specific antibodies against this protein were used to demonstrate this protein to be located in a layer of photoreceptor cells, both in their inner and outer segments. On the basis of its antigenic properties p26 is different from any other known photoreceptor cells-specific proteins.