Abstract
Purpose: :
To study the protein expression pattern and function of Gß5 in mouse retina.
Methods: :
Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was carried out on 12µm thick cryosections of the mouse retina using a Gß5 antibody (CT215, Watson et al, JBC, 1994). Imaging of the stained sections was done using confocal microscopy. To identify the exact localization of Gß5, double–labeled ICCs were carried out for Gß5 and markers of different retinal cells such as bipolar cells (Goα) and the amacrine cells (ChAT). To study the function of Gß5, electroretinographic recordings were carried out on Gß5 knockout (Gß5–/–) mice (Chen et al, PNAS, 2003).
Results: :
Gß5 is localized to the dendritic tip of the bipolar cells and colocalized with Goα. It also co–localizes with ChAT in cholinergic amacrine cells. Electroretinogram of the Gß5–/– mice lacks the oscillation potential and the b–wave.
Conclusions: :
Our data indicate that Gß5 is present in the outer and inner plexiform layers of the retina and that Gß5 is essential for the normal light response of ON–bipolar cells.
Keywords: bipolar cells • electroretinography: non-clinical • inner retina dysfunction: biochemistry and cell biology