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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Electrophysiological Characterization of GFP-Expressing Cell Populations in the Intact Retina
Published on: November 14, 2011
Possible neurotransmitter role of noradrenaline in the teleost retina
E H Jaffe1, M Urbina, B D Drujan
1Laboratory Neuroquimica IVIC 21827, Caracas, Venezuela.
Abstract:
The role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in the retina of different species has been clearly established; however, there is still some controversy as to whether noradrenaline (NA) is present as a neurotransmitter in this tissue. In this study, we show that, under controlled conditions, NA is present in the retina of goldfish at a concentration of 0.15 +/- 0.03 ng/mg protein and its biosynthetic enzyme, dopamine beta-hydroxylase shows an activity of 2.5 +/- 0.2 pmol NA/hr/mg protein. The amount of NA increases to 1.88 +/- 0.24 ng/mg protein in light adapted animals and decreases to undetectable levels in dark adapted ones. By contrast, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase levels are not affected by changes in light conditions. This finding provides further evidence in favor of a neurotransmitter role for NA in vertebrate retina.
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