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Differential cellular and subcellular distribution of glutamate transporters in the cat retina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2004

BOZENA FYK-KOLODZIEJ ,
PU QIN ,
ARTURIK DZHAGARYAN  and
ROBERTA G. POURCHO
BOZENA FYK-KOLODZIEJ
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
PU QIN
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
ARTURIK DZHAGARYAN
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
ROBERTA G. POURCHO
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit
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Abstract

Retrieval of glutamate from extracellular sites in the retina involves at least five excitatory amino acid transporters. Immunocytochemical analysis of the cat retina indicates that each of these transporters exhibits a selective distribution which may reflect its specific function. The uptake of glutamate into Müller cells or astrocytes appears to depend upon GLAST and EAAT4, respectively. Staining for EAAT4 was also seen in the pigment epithelium. The remaining transporters are neuronal with GLT-1α localized to a number of cone bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells and GLT-1v in cone photoreceptors and several populations of bipolar cells. The EAAC1 transporter was found in horizontal, amacrine, and ganglion cells. Staining for EAAT5 was seen in the axon terminals of both rod and cone photoreceptors as well as in numerous amacrine and ganglion cells. Although some of the glutamate transporter molecules are positioned for presynaptic or postsynaptic uptake at glutamatergic synapses, others with localizations more distant from such contacts may serve in modulatory roles or provide protection against excitoxic or oxidative damage.

Keywords

Glutamate transportersRetinal neurons

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 21 , Issue 4 , July 2004 , pp. 551 - 565
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press

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