The spatial relationship between Müller cell processes and the photoreceptor output synapse.
Glutamate is the neurotransmitter released by photoreceptors in the retina. The postsynaptic action of glutamate is terminated partly by uptake into glial (Müller) cells. The anatomical distribution of Müller cell processes around the synaptic terminals of photoreceptors was investigated electron microscopically in the tiger salamander retina. Müller cells wrap around the synaptic terminals of both rods and cones and come within 1-3 microns of the sites of glutamate release, close enough to contribute to terminating the synaptic action of glutamate.
Sarantis
M
M
Department of Physiology, University College London, UK.
Mobbs
P
P
D000557:Ambystoma; D000818:Animals; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase