Expression of GABA transporter subtypes (GAT1, GAT3) in the developing rabbit retina.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the expression of GABA transporters (GATs) in the developing retina. We have therefore examined the expression of GABA transporters (GAT1 and GAT3) in the developing rabbit retina.


METHODS
The distribution of GATs was examined with immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
GAT3 immunoreactivity appeared at PN0, whereas GAT1 immunoreactivity appeared first at PN3, both in the inner plexiform layer. From PN5 and onwards, both GAT1 and GAT3 immunoreactivity gradually appeared in numerous amacrine cell somas. At PN10, the immunostaining patterns and the distribution of both GAT1 and GAT3 were similar to that found in the adult rabbit retina. Full staining intensity was reached at PN20.


CONCLUSIONS
GABA neurotransmission starts to develop already the first one to three days after birth, reaches the mature neuron pattern at about PN9 to PN10 but is not fully developed until about PN20. Neither GAT1 nor GAT3 appears to be involved in trophic actions by GABA in the prenatal retina.
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden.
M
M
Hu
A
A
Bruun
B
B
Ehinger
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D050485:GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050485:GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D027361:Organic Anion Transporters; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid