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Uptake of horseradish peroxidase by frog photoreceptor synapses in the dark and the light

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Abstract

INDIRECT evidence suggests that vertebrate photoreceptors decrease their release of a depolarising transmitter substance in response to the absorption of light. Vertebrate photoreceptors1–3 and most horizontal cells2,4 hyperpolarise in response to light and show an increased membrane resistance. In addition, transretinal currents that depolarise receptor terminals also depolarise horizontal cells5–7. Finally, magnesium, known to decrease transmitter release in neuromuscular8 and other synapses9, hyperpolarises skate10 and turtle11 horizontal cells. We now report more direct evidence that the photoreceptors are synaptically active in the dark and that this activity can be diminished by light.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology, Columbia University, New York, 10027

    SAMUEL M. SCHACHER, ERIC HOLTZMAN & DONALD C. HOOD

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  1. SAMUEL M. SCHACHER
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  2. ERIC HOLTZMAN
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  3. DONALD C. HOOD
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SCHACHER, S., HOLTZMAN, E. & HOOD, D. Uptake of horseradish peroxidase by frog photoreceptor synapses in the dark and the light. Nature 249, 261–263 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249261a0

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