title: Identification of GABA receptors in chick retinal pigment epithelium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a multifunctional, monolayer of cells located between the neural retina and the choroicapillaris. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the retina and GABA receptors are known to be present in chick retina, sclera and cornea. There is a report of genes involved in GABA receptor signaling being expressed in human RPE, however, whether GABA receptors are present in chick RPE is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Real time PCR and western blot were used to determine the expression of GABA receptors (alpha1 GABAA, GABABR2, and rho1 GABAC receptors) in isolated chicken RPE. Immunofluorescence using antibodies against one of the GABA receptor sub-types was used to determine receptor localization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both real-time PCR and western blot demonstrated that alpha1 GABAA, GABABR2 and rho1 GABAC receptors were expressed in isolated chick RPE. Immunofluorescence further demonstrated that GABA receptors were localized to the cell membrane and plasma of RPE cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alpha1 GABAA, GABABR2 and rho1 GABAC receptors were expressed in chick RPE. The purpose of the GABA receptors within the RPE remains to be explored.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. zycheng2008@hotmail.com
authors: Zhen-Ying
authors: ZY
authors: Cheng
authors: Xu-Ping
authors: XP
authors: Wang
authors: Katrina L
authors: KL
authors: Schmid
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C087200:GABA-C receptor; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B