Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-like molecules in the retina, retinotectal pathway, and optic tectum of the frog.
Forty-two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) from electric organ were tested for their ability to cross-react in the optic tectum of the frog Rana pipiens. Twenty-eight of the mAbs tested (67%) bound to the optic neuropil of the tectum as revealed by immunoperoxidase cytochemistry. The pattern of peroxidase stain for cross-reacting mAbs corresponded in position to a subset of the retinotectal projections. Electron microscopic examination revealed that peroxidase reaction product was associated with the surface of vesicle-containing profiles but not with synaptic sites. Removal of one retina resulted in the loss of immunoreactivity in the contralateral tectum. AChR-like immunoreactivity was also associated with the optic tract and optic nerve and with retinal ganglion cells. These results indicate that some classes of retinal ganglion cells bear AChR-like molecules on their surface. The existence of these molecules on ganglion cell axons and terminals seems the most likely explanation for the AChR-like immunoreactivity present in the tectum.
Sargent
P B
PB
Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside 92521.
Pike
S H
SH
Nadel
D B
DB
Lindstrom
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D006054:Goldfish; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011894:Rana pipiens; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000378:metabolism*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic