Localization of Aa-nat mRNA in the rat retina by fluorescence in situ hybridization and laser capture microdissection.
Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) is the key regulatory enzyme in the melatonin biosynthetic pathway. Previous investigations have reported that Aa-nat mRNA in rat is only detected in a sub-population of photoreceptor cells that resemble cones in shape and size. In the present study, we investigated Aa-nat expression in the rat retina by using in situ hybridization and laser capture microdissection combined with the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction technique. Our results demonstrate that, contrary to previous reports, Aa-nat transcripts are present not only in the photoreceptor cells, but also in the inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer. However, the rhythmic expression of Aa-nat mRNA was observed only in photoreceptor cells.
Liu
Cuimei
C
Neuroscience Institute and NSF Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310-1495, USA.
Fukuhara
Chiaki
C
Wessel
James H
JH
Iuvone
P Michael
PM
Tosini
Gianluca
G
D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin