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Gap junction morphology of retinal horizontal cells is sensitive to pH alterations in vitro

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Summary

Isolated goldfish retinae were incubated in NaHCO3-reduced solutions, a treatment known to lower intracellular pH and to decrease gap-junction-mediated coupling between cells. The morphology of the gap junctions of horizontal cells examined by means of freezefracture replicas and ultrathin sections displays alterations after such treatment. The gap-junctional particles aggregate into dense clusters or crystalline arrays, whereas controls (pH 7.5) display a loose arrangement of particles. Incubation in NaHCO3-reduced solution leads to the appearance, in ultrathin sections, of prominent, electron-dense material beneath the gap-junctional membranes. Both effects, the increasing density of particles and the appearance of electron-dense material, are reversible. The application of dopamine, which uncouples horizontal cells, and its antagonist haloperidol produce less clear-cut effects on particle density in vitro.

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  1. Pathologisches Institut der Universität, Liebermeisterstrasse 8, W-7400, Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Yvonne Schmitz & Hartwig Wolburg

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  1. Yvonne Schmitz
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  2. Hartwig Wolburg
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Schmitz, Y., Wolburg, H. Gap junction morphology of retinal horizontal cells is sensitive to pH alterations in vitro. Cell Tissue Res 263, 303–310 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318772

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