Multistratified expression of polysialic acid and its relationship to VAChT-containing neurons in the inner plexiform layer of adult rat retina.
We investigated the localization of polysialic acid (PSA), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in adult rat retina by using immunofluorescence with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Western blot analysis showed a typical broad smear of PSA and isoforms of NCAM (120, 140, and 180 kD). PSA immunofluorescence revealed multistratification in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Dual immunostaining for PSA and NCAM exhibited the selective co-expression of PSA and NCAM on Müller cells. Moreover, dual immunolabeling for PSA and VAChT completely separated the five strata in the IPL. Strata 1, 3, and 5 were immunoreactive for PSA and Strata 2 and 4 for VAChT. These results suggest the possibility that PSA molecules on Müller cells are spatially related to ON and OFF retinal channels in the IPL.
Sawaguchi
A
A
Department of Anatomy, Miyazaki Medical College, Miyazaki, Japan.
Idate
Y
Y
Ide
S
S
Kawano
J i
Ji
Nagaike
R
R
Oinuma
T
T
Suganuma
T
T
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D012794:Sialic Acids; C493461:Slc18a3 protein, rat; D050494:Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins; C021319:polysialic acid