Horizontal cells expressing melanopsin x are novel photoreceptors in the avian inner retina

In the vertebrate retina, three types of photoreceptors - visual photoreceptor cones and rods and the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) - converged through evolution to detect light and regulate image- and nonimage-forming activities such as photic entrainment of circadian...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Morera, Luis Pedro, Díaz, Nicolás Maximiliano, Guido, Mario Eduardo
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:Argentina
Recursos:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repositorio:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/57366
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/57366
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:HORIZONTAL CELL
LIGHT RESPONSES
MELANOPSIN
PHOTOTRANSDUCTION
RETINA
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Descrição
Resumo:In the vertebrate retina, three types of photoreceptors - visual photoreceptor cones and rods and the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) - converged through evolution to detect light and regulate image- and nonimage-forming activities such as photic entrainment of circadian rhythms, pupillary light reflexes, etc. ipRGCs express the nonvisual photopigment melanopsin (OPN4), encoded by two genes: the Xenopus (Opn4x) and mammalian (Opn4m) orthologs. In the chicken retina, both OPN4 proteins are found in ipRGCs, and Opn4x is also present in retinal horizontal cells (HCs), which connect with visual photoreceptors. Here we investigate the intrinsic photosensitivity and functioning of HCs from primary cultures of embryonic retinas at day 15 by using calcium fluorescent fluo4 imaging, pharmacological inhibitory treatments, and Opn4x knockdown. Results show that HCs are avian photoreceptors with a retinal-based OPN4X photopigment conferring intrinsic photosensitivity. Light responses in HCs appear to be driven through an ancient type of phototransduction cascade similar to that in rhabdomeric photoreceptors involving a G-protein q, the activation of phospholipase C, calcium mobilization, and the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Based on their intrinsic photosensitivity, HCs may have a key dual function in the retina of vertebrates, potentially regulating nonvisual tasks together with their sister cells, ipRGCs, and with visual photoreceptors, modulating lateral interactions and retinal processing.