title: Acid-sensing ion channel 2 is important for retinal function and protects against light-induced retinal degeneration.
abstract: pH variations in the retina are thought to be involved in the fine-tuning of visual perception. We show that both photoreceptors and neurons of the mouse retina express the H+-gated cation channel subunits acid-sensing ion channel 2a (ASIC2a) and ASIC2b. Inactivation of the ASIC2 gene in mice leads to an increase in the rod electroretinogram a- and b-waves and thus to an enhanced gain of visual transduction. ASIC2 knock-out mice are also more sensitive to light-induced retinal degeneration. We suggest that ASIC2 is a negative modulator of rod phototransduction, and that functional ASIC2 channels are beneficial for the maintenance of retinal integrity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 6097, Sophia-Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ettaiche
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazdunski
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waldmann
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000235:genetics; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000528:radiation effects; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C568265:ASIC2 protein, mouse; D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D062626:Degenerin Sodium Channels; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D015222:Sodium Channels