Growth hormone action in the developing neural retina: a proteomic analysis
Marie-Laure Baudet1, Zahra Hassanali, Grzegorz Sawicki
1Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Proteomics
|January 19, 2008
Summary
Growth hormone (GH) is present and active in the neural retina, influencing retinal development. Its absence affects key proteins involved in vascularization and neural growth.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Growth hormone (GH) is crucial for systemic growth.
- Its role in neural retina development is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of GH in the neural retina of newborn mice.
- To identify proteins affected by GH signaling in retinal development.
Main Methods:
- GH gene expression analysis (mRNA detection).
- GH and GH receptor (GHR) protein localization.
- Phenotypic analysis of GHR gene-disrupted mice.
- Proteomic analysis (2-D gels, MS) of retinal proteins.
Main Results:
- GH mRNA and protein are present in the retinal ganglion cell layer.
- GHR immunoreactivity colocalizes with GH.
- GHR-/- mice exhibit reduced axial length and retinal width.
- Absence of GH signaling alters levels of BASP-1, protein kinase C inhibitor 1, cyclophilin A, and KH domain-containing protein 3.
Conclusions:
- The neural retina is a site of GH gene expression and action.
- GH signaling plays a role in regulating retinal dimensions and protein expression during development.
- GH influences retinal vascularization, neural proliferation, and neurite outgrowth.
