Calcium and retinal function.
We survey the primary roles of calcium in retinal function, including photoreceptor transduction, transmitter release by different classes of retinal neuron, calcium-mediated regulation of gap-junctional conductance, activation of certain voltage-gated channels for K+ and Cl-, and modulation of postsynaptic potentials in retinal ganglion cells. We discuss three mechanisms for changing [Ca2+]i, which include flux through voltage-gated calcium channels, through ligand-gated channels, and by release from stores. The neuromodulatory pathways affecting each of these routes of entry are considered. The many neuromodulatory mechanisms in which calcium is a player are described and their effects upon retinal function discussed.
Akopian
Abram
A
Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA. aa3@nyu.edu
Witkovsky
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*
D002118:Calcium