Long-term effects of retinal lesions on growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) expression in the visual system of adult cats.
We have investigated the role of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in synaptic reorganization in the visual system of adult cats that received binocular central retinal lesions. Different survival times between 3 and 8 months after induction of the lesion were chosen. In the deafferented part of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) we found a long-lasting increase in GAP-43 protein, while glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity, which initially increased due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, slowly subsided over this period. In area 17, the pattern of GAP-43 expression did not provide indications for morphological changes in the cortical architecture following retinal lesions.
Baekelandt
V
V
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Immunological Biotechnology, Zoological Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Eysel
U T
UT
Orban
G A
GA
Vandesande
F
F
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006133:Growth Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins