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5-HT2a receptors in the rabbit retina: Potential presynaptic modulators

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1999

KUSOL POOTANAKIT ,
KATHERINE J. PRIOR ,
DALE D. HUNTER  and
WILLIAM J. BRUNKEN
KUSOL POOTANAKIT
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Boston
KATHERINE J. PRIOR
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Boston
DALE D. HUNTER
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
WILLIAM J. BRUNKEN
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Boston
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Abstract

Three 5-HT receptors have been implicated in retinal processing but positive identification of the receptors and the localization of receptor subtypes in the retina have not been achieved. In this study, molecular techniques were used to identify one class of 5-HT receptor—5-HT2a—in the retina, and immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize the receptor in the retinal network. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used to identify a segment of the rabbit 5-HT2a gene; a 422 base fragment was identified, cloned, and sequenced. The fragment shows a high degree (ca. 90%) of nucleotide sequence identity with the 5-HT2a receptor gene from other mammals. 5-HT2a immunoreactivity was seen in both the inner and outer plexiform (synaptic) layers of the retina. Using cell-type-specific markers, the 5-HT2a immunoreactivity was shown to be on the terminals of photoreceptor and rod bipolar cells. This association of 5-HT2a receptors with these two synapses suggests that serotonin may be a modulator of synaptic function in the retina.

Keywords

Rod pathwaysPresynaptic receptorsSerotoninRabbit retina
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , March 1999 , pp. 221 - 230
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press

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