Histochemistry

, Volume 96, Issue 6, pp 539–540 | Cite as

Light-dependent changes in cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase activity in rod spherules of the rat retina

A cytochemical study
  • R. Gebhard
Short Communication
Accepted:

Summary

The cytoplasmic activity of the glutamate synthesizing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (c-AAT) has been investigated on the ultrastructure level in rod spherules of light and dark adapted rat retinae using cytochemistry. Although most rod terminals react negatively, in a subpopulation of rods a weak activity, which is observed in light adapted retinae, is markedly increased under dark conditions. This indicates, that in addition to cones, some rods might use glutamate as their transmitter as well.

Keywords

Public Health Aspartate Glutamate Retina Aspartate Aminotransferase 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. Gebhard
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of NeuroanatomyUniversity of DüsseldorfDüsseldorf 1Germany

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