Estrogen receptor expression in bovine and rat retinas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and distribution of estrogen receptor protein and mRNA in bovine and rat retinas.


METHODS
Western blot analysis with an antiestrogen receptor monoclonal antibody (mAb) was used to detect estrogen receptor protein in the bovine retina. Immunohistochemistry with an antiestrogen receptor mAb and in situ hybridization with an oligodeoxynucleotide sequence coding for estrogen receptor were applied to study the cellular distribution of estrogen receptor protein and its mRNA in male bovine retina and rat retina of both sexes.


RESULTS
Estrogen receptor protein was detected in bovine retina by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical staining with the antiestrogen receptor mAb was widespread throughout the neural retina. Specific staining showed extensive distribution localizing in the nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer, and the outer plexiform layer. Retinal pigment epithelium and choroid were also stained with the antiestrogen receptor mAb. By in situ hybridization, the expression of estrogen receptor mRNA was predominantly observed in ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer, and outer portion of the outer nuclear layer. No significant difference was found between male and female rats in the immunostaining of retinas with the antiestrogen receptor mAb.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides the first evidence for the presence of estrogen receptor in bovine and rat retinas. Expression of estrogen receptor throughout the retina suggests that estrogen may have important functions in the retina.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
K
K
Kobayashi
H
H
Kobayashi
M
M
Ueda
Y
Y
Honda
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen