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Developmental expression of DCC in the rat retina
K Johansson1, M Törngren, J Wasselius
1Department of Ophthalmology, Wallenberg Retina Center, BMC, B13, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden. kjell.johansson@oft.lu.se
Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research
|September 15, 2001
Summary
Deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) protein is transiently expressed on retinal ganglion cell axons during development. This expression correlates with inner plexiform layer formation, suggesting a role in retinal axonal guidance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene product binds netrin and is implicated in axonal guidance.
- Understanding DCC's role in retinal development is crucial for comprehending neural circuit formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal and spatial expression patterns of DCC during rat retinal development.
- To correlate DCC expression with specific cellular events in the developing retina.
Main Methods:
- Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry to detect DCC protein.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze DCC mRNA levels.
- Double labeling experiments to identify cell types expressing DCC.
Main Results:
- DCC protein is transiently expressed on ganglion cell axons in embryonic and neonatal rat retina.
- DCC immunolabeling is observed on processes from cholinergic amacrine cells within the inner plexiform layer.
- DCC protein expression decreases with age and is absent in adult retina, while mRNA remains detectable.
- DCC protein down-regulation does not correlate with mRNA levels.
Conclusions:
- DCC protein expression in the developing retina is transient and localized.
- DCC's expression pattern suggests a role in the functional segregation of the inner plexiform layer during retinal development.