title: The light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size in the goldfish retina involves nitric oxide.
abstract: Horizontal cells of the vertebrate retina have large receptive fields as a result of extensive gap junction coupling. Increased ambient illumination reduces horizontal cell receptive field size. Using the isolated goldfish retina, we have assessed the contribution of nitric oxide to the light-dependent reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. Horizontal cell receptive field size was assessed by comparing the responses to centered spot and annulus stimuli and from the responses to translated slit stimuli. A period of steady illumination decreased the receptive field size of horizontal cells, as did treatment with the nitric oxide donor (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (100 μM). Blocking the endogenous production of nitric oxide with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (1 mM), decreased the light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size. These findings suggest that nitric oxide is involved in light-induced reduction of horizontal cell receptive field size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Laboratory for Retina and Optic Nerve Research, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Bryan A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Baldridge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001703:Biophysics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006054:Goldfish / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008027:Light; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D051248:Retinal Horizontal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; C094210:2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono)bis-ethanamine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester