Abstract
Purpose: :
In a previous report, the results of proteomics analysis of EAAC1–, the glutamate transporter in retina, knockout mice showed that the endogeneous protein expression of GABA–A receptor ß1 in retina was increased, compared with ICR mice as wild type. So we intend to investigate the molecular and biological function of GABA–A receptor ß1 on retinal ganglion cells.
Methods: :
Retinal ganglion cells were stimulated with GABA, and we analyzed the cell biological changes. Moreover, retinal ganglion cells were also treated with bicuculline, GABA–A receptor antagonist, or muscimol, GABA–A receptor agonist, and we checked the biological changes.
Results: :
Stimulation with GABA induced the retinal ganglion cell death. The retinal ganglion cell death induced by GABA was inhibited by bicuculline, otherwise promoted by muscimol.
Conclusions: :
GABA–A receptor ß1 may play an important role on retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma.