Glycine receptor subunits expression in the developing rat retina.
METHODS
Glycine receptor (GlyR) consists of two α (1-4) and three β subunits. Considerable evidence indicates that the adult retina expresses the four types of α subunits; however, the proportion of these subunits in adult and immature retina is almost unknown. In this report we have studied mRNA and the protein expression of GlyR subunits in the retina during postnatal rat development by Real-Time qRT-PCR and western blot.


RESULTS
mRNA and protein expression indicated a gradual increase of the α1, α3, α4 and β GlyR subunits during postnatal ages tested. The mRNA β subunit showed higher expression levels (∼3 fold) than those observed for the α1 and α3 subunits. Very interestingly, the α2 GlyR subunit had the highest expression in the retina, even in the adult.


CONCLUSIONS
These results revealed the expression of GlyR at early postnatal ages, supporting its role in retina development. In addition, our results indicated that the adult retina expressed a high proportion of the α2 subunit, suggesting the expression of monomeric and/or heteromeric receptors. A variety of studies are needed to further characterize the role of the specific subunits in both adult and immature retina.
División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico. Electronic address: gsanchez@ifc.unam.mx.
Gustavo
G
Sánchez-Chávez
Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana del Hospital de Pediatría "Silvestre Frenk Freund", Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico. Electronic address: dr.velazquez.imss@gmail.com.
Miguel Ángel
MÁ
Velázquez-Flores
Catedrática CONACyT, Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana del Hospital de Pediatría "Silvestre Frenk Freund", Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS, Ciudad de México, Mexico. Electronic address: rruizes@conacyt.mx.
Ruth
R
Ruiz Esparza-Garrido
División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico. Electronic address: rsalceda@ifc.unam.mx.
Rocío
R
Salceda
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015870:Gene Expression; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012160:Retina / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018009:Receptors, Glycine
Glycine receptor; Receptor subunits; Retinal development; Western blotting; qPCR