Diversity of aquaporin mRNA expressed by rat and human retinas.
Muller glial cells of the sensory retina mediate K+ and water fluxes that are facilitated by aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels and by Kir4.1-K+ channels. However, it is not known which subtypes of aquaporins are expressed in the mammalian retina. Using RT-PCR, we found that both human and rat retinas express mRNA for a diversity of water channel proteins. The human retina expresses mRNAs for AQP0 to AQP12 proteins. Using real-time PCR, we found that the mRNAs for AQP4 and Kir4.1 are downregulated in retinas that were obtained from patients with proliferative retinopathy compared with post-mortem controls. The data suggest that the development of proliferative gliosis is accompanied by disturbed transglial water and ion movements.
Tenckhoff
Solveig
S
Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Clinic, University of Leipzig Medical Faculty, Liebigstr. 10-14, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Hollborn
Margrit
M
Kohen
Leon
L
Wolf
Sebastian
S
Wiedemann
Peter
P
Bringmann
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D020346:Aquaporins; D017931:DNA Primers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger