Nerve growth factor induces light adaptive cellular and synaptic plasticity in the outer retina of fish

Autor: Mustafa B.A. Djamgoz, Harvey J. Karten, Sakineh N. Haamedi
Rok vydání: 2001
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 431:397-404
ISSN: 1096-9861
0021-9967
DOI: 10.1002/1096-9861(20010319)431:4<397::aid-cne1078>3.0.co;2-p
Popis: Recent evidence suggests that neurotrophins can be involved in short-term synaptic plasticity in parts of the central nervous system. In the present study, the possible role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in inducing morphologic (cellular and subcellular) changes in the outer retina of carp was assessed. The effects of NGF on cone photomechanical movements (PMMs) and horizontal cell (HC) spinule formation were measured. NGF-induced cone contraction and formation of HC spinules in the dark-adapted retina were consistent with its role in light adaptation. These effects were dose dependent in the range of 5–250 nM. Because cone contraction and HC spinule formation have previously been shown to be controlled by dopamine (DA), nitric oxide (NO), or both, the possibility that the effects of NGF could be occurring by means of release of DA and/or NO was tested. Haloperidol (HAL), a nonspecific DA receptor blocker, or 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium (cPTIO), a NO scavenger, was applied in combination with NGF to dark-adapted eyecups. The results showed that both HAL and cPTIO significantly blocked the effects of NGF on cone PMMs and HC spinule formation. In conclusion, (1) NGF represents a novel light-adaptive signalling mechanism in the outer retina of fish; and (2) NGF-induced cone contraction and HC spinule formation in the retina together with our previous observation would suggest that the effects of NGF may be mediated through NO by means of DA. J. Comp. Neurol. 431:397–404, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz: