Distribution of FGF-5 in the rhesus macaque retina.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution of mRNA transcribed from the FGF-5 gene and the distribution of FGF-5 protein in the normal adult retina of the rhesus macaque.


METHODS
Freshly enucleated globes from rhesus macaque were prepared for Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical studies. A 350 base pair sequence from the human FGF-5 was subcloned and used to prepare 35S-labeled cRNAs for Northern and in situ experiments. Antipeptide antibodies were raised against an aminoterminal sequence as well as an internal sequence and were affinity purified on recombinant FGF-5 coupled to AffiGel-10. The specificity of antibody probes was verified by dot blot and Western blot analyses.


RESULTS
Ganglion cells and photoreceptors express the highest levels of FGF-5 mRNA, although all neurons and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were clearly labeled. Immunohistochemical staining similarly revealed a widespread distribution of the protein, with prominent labeling observed in photoreceptor inner segments, especially in cone cells. Plexiform layers and RPE cells were also clearly labeled.


CONCLUSIONS
Clear evidence was established for the expression of FGF-5 in the retina, where it may play an important extracellular role as a secreted member of the FGF gene family.
Kitaoka
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis 95616.
Aotaki-Keen
A E
AE
Hjelmeland
L M
LM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D051521:Fibroblast Growth Factor 5; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010455:Peptides; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051521:Fibroblast Growth Factor 5; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors