Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the role of Shank2 in neuronal differentiation of retinal development
Methods: :
The expression of Shank2 and neurofilament was examined in the retinas from developing mice by immunofluorescence staining. For in vitro experiments, Y79 cells, one of human retinoblastoma cell line, were differentiated by treatment of retinoic acid and then the expression and localization of Shank2 and neurofilament were detected using western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry.
Results: :
As the mouse development proceeded, Shank2 was initially detected in the inner plexiform layer at postnatal day 2, and then intensively detected in inner plexiform layer, outer plexiform layer, and ganglion cell layer at postnatal day 14, which was closely related to the expression of neurofilament, which is important for neuronal differentiation. Through all the developmental stages, Shank2 was colocalized with neurofilament, but not colocalized with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), astrocyte-specific protein. In in vitro experiments, Shank2 expression was increased in the differentiated Y79 cells, which also was colocalized with neurofilament at the dendritic region of cells.
Conclusions: :
These results suggest that Shank2 might play an important role in differentiation of retinal neurons.
Keywords: retinal development • synapse • retina