Localization of voltage-sensitive L-type calcium channels in the chicken retina.
L-type calcium channels have been associated with synaptic transmission in the retina, and are a potential site for modulation of the release of neurotransmitters. The present study documents the immunohistochemical localization of neuronal alpha1 subunits of L-type calcium channels in chicken retina, using antibodies to the alpha1c, alpha1d and alpha1f subunits of L-type calcium channels. The alpha1c-like subunits were localized to Müller cells, with predominantly radial processes, and a prominent band of horizontal processes in the outer plexiform layer. The antibody to alpha1d subunits labelled most, if not all, cell bodies. The antibody to a human alpha1f subunit strongly labelled photoreceptor terminals. Fainter immunoreactivity was detected in the inner segments of the photoreceptors, a subset of amacrine cells, two bands of labelling in the inner plexiform layer and many ganglion cells. The differential cellular distributons of these alpha1-subunits suggests subtle functional differences in their roles at different cellular locations.
Firth
S I
SI
Visual Sciences Group, Research School of Biological Sciences & Centre for Visual Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. sally.i.firth@uth.tmc.edu
Morgan
I G
IG
Boelen
M K
MK
Morgans
C W
CW
D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000032:analysis*; D002645:Chickens; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry*
D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type