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Tunicamycin-induced degeneration in cone photoreceptors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Don H. Anderson ,
David S. Williams ,
Jay Neitz ,
Robert N. Fariss  and
Steven J. Fliesler
Don H. Anderson
Affiliation:
IES, Neuroscience Research Program, University of California, Santa Barbara
David S. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Visual Science, School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington
Jay Neitz
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Robert N. Fariss
Affiliation:
IES, Neuroscience Research Program, University of California, Santa Barbara
Steven J. Fliesler
Affiliation:
Bethesda Eye Institute and Department of Biochemistry, St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis
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Abstract

Tunicamycin (TM), an inhibitor of dolichylphosphate-mediated protein glycosylation, was injected intravitreally into the eyes of diurnal rodents with cone-dominated retinas. Injection of 1 μg of the B2 isomer led to a progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor outer segments and disruption of the RPE-photoreceptor interface that took place over a 10-day period. Cone outer segments were shortened by postinjection day 6 and virtually absent by day 9. The microvilli that normally protrude from the apical surface of the retinal pigment epithelium were replaced by a fringe of shortened processes. The other retinal layers showed no morphological evidence of disruption. Retinal sensitivity, as measured by electroretinographic b-wave threshold, showed a significant and progressive decline over the 10-day course of the experiment that paralleled the disruption of retinal morphology. These results suggest that TM leads to similar morphological and electrophysiological effects on rod and cone photoreceptors.

Keywords

TunicamycinPhotoreceptorsRetinaDegeneration
Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 1 , Issue 2 , March 1988 , pp. 153 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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