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Localization of GABAA receptors in the rat retina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Ursula Greferath ,
Frank Müller ,
Heinz Wässle ,
Brenda Shivers  and
Peter Seeburg
Ursula Greferath
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Neuroanatomische Abteilung, Deutschordenstrasse 46, 6000 Frankfurt 71, Germany
Frank Müller
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Neuroanatomische Abteilung, Deutschordenstrasse 46, 6000 Frankfurt 71, Germany
Heinz Wässle
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Neuroanatomische Abteilung, Deutschordenstrasse 46, 6000 Frankfurt 71, Germany
Brenda Shivers
Affiliation:
Laboratorium für Molekulare Neuroendokrinologie, ZMBH, Universitat Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 6900 Heidelberg, Germany
Peter Seeburg
Affiliation:
Laboratorium für Molekulare Neuroendokrinologie, ZMBH, Universitat Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 6900 Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian retina. The present paper describes the localization of GABAA receptors in the rat retina as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry.

In situ hybridization with probes against various a subunits revealed a marked differential expression pattern. The αl subunit gene is expressed mainly in the bipolar and horizontal cell layer, the α2 gene in the amacrine and ganglion cell layer, and the α4 gene in a subpopulation of amacrine cells. β subunit mRNA is present diffusely throughout the entire inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer.

The monoclonal antibody bd 17 (against β2/β3 subunits) stained subpopulations of GABAergic and glycinergic amacrine cells as well as some ganglion cells and bipolar cells. Immunoreactivity was not restricted to synaptic input sites. In the outer plexiform layer bipolar cell dendrites were immunoreactive; in the inner plexiform layer mainly amacrine and ganglion cell processes were labeled, and bipolar cell axons appeared unstained. The results demonstrate a strong heterogeneity of GABAA receptors in the retina.

Keywords

GABAGABAA receptorsIn situ hybridizationImmunocytochemistry
Type
Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , May 1993 , pp. 551 - 561
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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