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Cellular distribution ofl-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) andγ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor mRNAs in the retina

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Summary

  1. 1.

    γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory transmitter of the vertebrate retina, is synthesized from glutamate byl-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and mediates neuronal inhibition at GABAA receptors. GAD consists of two distinct molecular forms, GAD65 and GAD67, which have similar distribution patterns in the nervous system (Feldblumet al., 1990; Erlander and Tobin, 1991). GABAA receptors are composed of several distinct polypeptide subunits, of which the GABAA α1 variant has a particularly extensive and widespread distribution in the nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the cellular localization patterns of GAD and GABAA α1 receptor mRNAs to define GABA- and GABAA receptor-synthesizing neurons in the rat retina.

  2. 2.

    GAD and GABAA α1 mRNAs were localized in retinal neurons byin situ hybridization histochemistry with35S-labeled antisense RNA probes complementary to GAD67 and GABAA α1 mRNAs.

  3. 3.

    The majority of neurons expressing GAD67 mRNA is located in the proximal inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Occasional GAD67 mRNA-containing neurons are present in the inner plexiform layer. Labeled neurons are not found in the distal INL or in the outer nuclear layer (ONL).

  4. 4.

    GABAA α1 mRNA is expressed by neurons distributed to all regions of the INL. Some discretely labeled cells are present in the GCL. Labeled cells are not observed in the ONL.

  5. 5.

    The distribution of GAD67 mRNA demonstrates that numerous amacrine cells (conventional, interstitial, and displaced) and perhaps interplexiform cells synthesize GABA. These cells are likely to employ GABA as a neurotransmitter.

  6. 6.

    The distribution of GABAA α1 mRNA indicates that bipolar, amacrine, and perhaps ganglion cells express GABAA receptors having anα1 polypeptide subunit, suggesting that GABA acts directly upon these cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha & Catia Sternini

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha

  3. CURE, UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha & Catia Sternini

  4. Brain Research Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha & Catia Sternini

  5. Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha

  6. Veterans Administration Medical Center-West Los Angeles, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Nicholas C. Brecha & Catia Sternini

  7. Department of Psychology, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, 6009, Nedlands, Australia

    Martin F. Humphrey

  8. Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, University of Western Australia and Lions Eye Institute, 6009, Nedlands, Australia

    Martin F. Humphrey

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Brecha, N.C., Sternini, C. & Humphrey, M.F. Cellular distribution ofl-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) andγ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor mRNAs in the retina. Cell Mol Neurobiol 11, 497–509 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00734812

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