Abstract
Purpose: :
Sirtuins are a family of NAD-dependent deacetylase that are involved in a variety of cellular functions, including metabolism, DNA repair, apoptosis, neuronal survival, and inflammation. SIRT3 is one of the seven mammalian sirtuins, localized mainly in mitochondria and plays an important role in regulation of cell metabolism. In this study, we analyzed SIRT3 expression in ocular tissues of mouse.
Methods: :
Samples of ocular tissues (optic nerve, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid complex, retina, lens, cornea, and lacrimal gland) were prepared from 6-week old male C57BL/6 mice. SIRT3 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time PCR. SIRT3 protein levels were measured by immunoblot analysis. Localization of SIRT3 was analyzed in the retinal sections, immunohistochemically.
Results: :
mRNA levels of SIRT3 were high in the retina and the lacrimal gland. Protein levels of SIRT3 were prominent in the retina. In the retinal sections, expression of SIRT3 was obvious in ganglion cells and photoreceptor cells, whereas weak expression was detected in all the layers of neural retina.
Conclusions: :
Levels of SIRT3 expression was prominent in the retina among ocular tissues of mouse. In the retina, SIRT3 was expressed in the neural cells.