Immunocytochemical localization of glycine and glycine receptors in the retina of the frog Rana ridibunda.
Glycine and glycine receptors (GlyRs) were analyzed immunocytochemically in the retina of the frog Rana ridibunda. Glycine was localized to somata of glycinergic amacrine and interplexiform cells. Approximately 50% of the cells in the amacrine cell layer were found to be glycinergic. GlyRs of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) were localized to brightly fluorescent puncta, probably representing postsynaptic clusters of GlyRs. GlyR clusters were not evenly distributed across the IPL but showed patterns of stratification specific for the various GlyR subunits. Clusters containing the alpha1 subunit formed four narrow strata within the IPL. Clusters containing the alpha3 subunit were more abundant and covered the whole IPL, with a band of higher density in stratum 3. Clusters of GlyRs were also observed in the outer plexiform layer. Thus, several isoforms of synaptic GlyRs involved with different synapses and inhibitory circuits are present in the frog retina.
Department of Physiology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Lily
L
Vitanova
Silke
S
Haverkamp
Heinz
H
Wässle
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005998:Glycine / Q000032:analysis*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011895:Rana ridibunda; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000032:analysis*; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D018009:Receptors, Glycine; C073441:gephyrin; D005998:Glycine