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GABA-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in retinal neurons of postnatal rabbits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Bo Huang and
Dianna A. Redburn
Bo Huang
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston
Dianna A. Redburn
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston
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Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an important trophic role in the synapse formation between horizontal cells and photoreceptors in postnatal rabbit retina. However, the mechanism of the GABA effect has not been identified. Using fluo-3 Ca2+ imaging and confocal laser scanning microscopy we examined the effect of GABA on [Ca2+]i during postnatal retinal development. GABA (100 μM) evoked a fast and transient increase of [Ca2+]i in selected populations of freshly dissociated retinal cells from postnatal rabbits. This increase was apparent on postnatal day 1 and reached a maximum on day 5. Little increase in [Ca2+]i, was observed in retinal cells isolated from adult rabbits. GABA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline, significantly reduced the response. The GABAU agonist, baclofen, did not evoke any [Ca2+]i changes. The GABA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, was observed in all retinal layers in neonatal retinal whole-mount explants. In the outer retina, the increase was seen in cone photoreceptors which were specifically labeled with peanut agglutinin (PNA). The GABA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i may provide an important mechanism for regulating cone synaptogenesis in the outer plexiform layer of the postnatal retina.

Keywords

GABARabbit retinaConfocal microscopyCalciumRetinal development

Information

Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , May 1996, pp. 441 - 447
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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