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[Intracellular messengers and their roles in retinal gap junctions]
1Department of Physiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
Yakubutsu, Seishin, Kodo = Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Cyclic nucleotides and L-arginine block retinal horizontal cell gap junctions, suggesting a nitric oxide-cGMP pathway regulates retinal signaling. This impacts understanding of visual processing and neuronal communication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Retinal Physiology
- Cellular Signaling
Context:
- Gap junctions mediate electrical coupling between retinal horizontal cells.
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays diverse roles in the nervous system.
- Cyclic nucleotides like cAMP and cGMP are key intracellular messengers.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of cyclic nucleotides and the L-arginine: NO: cGMP pathway in regulating gap junction communication in retinal horizontal cells.
- To analyze the impact of these pathways on synaptic transmission and light responses in different types of horizontal cells.
Summary:
- Intracellular injection of cAMP, cGMP, or L-arginine into retinal horizontal cells inhibited gap junctional communication.
- L-arginine's effect suggests the involvement of the L-arginine: nitric oxide (NO): cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in the retina.
- Post-injection, horizontal cells showed altered electrical properties, and light response analysis revealed conserved synaptic transmission mechanisms across horizontal cell types, supporting glutamate release in darkness.
Impact:
- Demonstrates a novel signaling pathway (L-arginine: NO: cGMP) modulating retinal gap junction function.
- Provides insights into the ionic mechanisms of synaptic transmission in different retinal horizontal cell subtypes.
- Contributes to understanding visual information processing and neuronal communication in the retina.