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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Imaging Ca2+ Dynamics in Cone Photoreceptor Axon Terminals of the Mouse Retina
Published on: May 6, 2015
Acid-sensing ion channel 2 is important for retinal function and protects against light-induced retinal degeneration
Mohamed Ettaiche1, Nicolas Guy, Paul Hofman
1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 6097, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
Abstract:
pH variations in the retina are thought to be involved in the fine-tuning of visual perception. We show that both photoreceptors and neurons of the mouse retina express the H+-gated cation channel subunits acid-sensing ion channel 2a (ASIC2a) and ASIC2b. Inactivation of the ASIC2 gene in mice leads to an increase in the rod electroretinogram a- and b-waves and thus to an enhanced gain of visual transduction. ASIC2 knock-out mice are also more sensitive to light-induced retinal degeneration. We suggest that ASIC2 is a negative modulator of rod phototransduction, and that functional ASIC2 channels are beneficial for the maintenance of retinal integrity.
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