Osteoblasts and osteoclasts express PEDF, VEGF-A isoforms, and VEGF receptors: possible mediators of angiogenesis and matrix remodeling in the bone

Pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF) is one of the most effective inhibitors of angiogenesis described so far, especially in controlling the growth of blood vessels in the eye. We now describe the localization of PEDF in regions of active bone formation in the mid-gestation mouse embryo and its specific and high levels of secretion by osteoblasts. PEDF is detected to a lesser extent in osteoclasts as well. The proangiogenic factors, VEGF and its receptors VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, are also expressed by both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These findings suggest that bone angiogenesis and matrix remodeling may be mediated both by PEDF and by VEGF.

Uncoupling protein 2 prevents neuronal death including that occurring during seizures: a mechanism for preconditioning

The mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP2) is expressed in selected regions of the brain. Here we demonstrate that up-regulation of UCP2 is part of a neuroprotective set of responses to various cellular stresses in vitro and in vivo. PC12 cells, when transfected with UCP2, were protected against free radical-induced cell death. Seizure activity was associated with elevated UCP2 levels and mitochondrial uncoupling activity. In transgenic mice that expressed UCP2 constitutively in the hippocampus before seizure induction, a robust reduction in cell death was seen. Because UCP2 increased mitochondrial number and ATP levels with a parallel decrease in free radical-induced damage, it is reasonable to suggest that mitochondrial UCPs precondition neurons by dissociating cellular energy production from that of free radicals to withstand the harmful effects of cellular stress occurring in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, including epilepsy.

Developmental and tissue expression patterns of mouse Mpp4 gene

The temporal and spatial expression patterns of mouse membrane palmitoylated protein 4 (Mpp4) gene was investigated. Mpp4 was expressed in postnatal but not embryonic retina by microarray analysis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that, in addition to retina, Mpp4 was expressed at much lower levels in brain, heart, liver, and spleen tissues. In situ hybridization revealed that Mpp4 was exclusively localized in the photoreceptor cells. It was also detected in pineal gland but not other regions of the brain. Immunofluorescence labeling on eye sections of wild-type mice and transgenic mice with cone-specific GFP expression demonstrated that Mpp4 protein was localized at rod but not at cone photoreceptor synaptic terminals. The high level and cell-type specific expression of mouse Mpp4 gene makes it a good candidate for the targeting and assembly of specific molecules, such as calcium channels, at rod synaptic terminals.

Coenzyme Q induces nigral mitochondrial uncoupling and prevents dopamine cell loss in a primate model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is characterized by dopamine cell loss of the substantia nigra. Parkinson's disease and the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6 tetrahydropyridine may destroy dopamine neurons through oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q is a cofactor of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins that enhances state-4 respiration and eliminate superoxides. Here we report that short-term oral administration of coenzyme Q induces nigral mitochondrial uncoupling and prevents dopamine cell loss after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6 tetrahydropyridine administration in monkeys.

Therapeutic prospects for PEDF: more than a promising angiogenesis inhibitor

Blood vessel growth and stability are under the exquisite control of a network of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. Disruption of the balance between these factors is a characteristic of tumor growth and many vascular diseases. Endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors, particularly those that act broadly at the earliest stages, could be excellent pharmacological tools in combating pathogenic vessel growth. Pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a natural angiogenesis inhibitor that (1) targets only new vessel growth, (2) can be administered therapeutically as a soluble protein or by viral-mediated gene transfer, (3) is stable and nontoxic when injected, and (4) is more potent than other well-characterized angiogenesis inhibitors. Because PEDF also has differentiating and neuroprotective activities, it has additional benefits for use in the nervous system. The production of PEDF by many tissues suggests its therapeutic potential should be explored in a much wider range of diseases, including tumor proliferation and metastasis.

Expression and activation of STAT proteins during mouse retina development

Cytokines and growth factors play important roles in mammalian ocular development and maintenance. Recent studies have indicated that some of these ligands can activate signal transducer and activator of transcription factors (STATs) and modulate gene transcription. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and activation of STAT proteins in the developing mouse retina. Anti-STAT and anti-phosphorylated STAT antibodies were used to detect the expression and activation of STATs in embryonic and postnatal neuronal retina, ciliary margin, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In situ hybridization and Western blot were also employed. In embryonic stages, all STAT proteins were expressed in the neuronal retina in distinct cell populations at different embryonic stages. For example, Stat3 expression and activation gradually increased in the inner neuroblast layer and ciliary margin during development. In adult retina, Stat3 was detected in the inner nuclear layer and ganglion cells layers. Stat1 was strongly expressed in both outer and inner plexiform layers. Stat5a was clearly expressed in the outer/inner nuclear layer, the ganglion cell layer, and the inner plexiform layer. Strong expression of Stat3, Stat5a, and Stat6 was observed in the RPE. Activated Stat3 and Stat5a were found in the neural retina and the RPE. Distinct STAT proteins were present in different cell populations in neuronal retina and RPE suggesting multiple functions of STATs in mammalian eye development. Studies of STAT signal pathways in the eye may contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms in control of ocular development and pathogenesis.

Tissue culture studies of retinal development

Because of a limited number of cell types, a series of well-described cell-type-specific markers and a stereotyped sequence of cell development, the retina has been a valuable model of CNS development. Dissociated and explant cultures have been used to help define some of the requirements for differentiation of each major cell class. In addition to mixed-cell cultures it is now possible to use cell purification or selective growth methods to give cultures of single cell types. Alteration of gene expression by viral infection has proved to be a valuable method to help elucidate developmental pathways.

Molecular aspects of vertebrate retinal development

The formation of retina from neural plate has been mapped extensively by anatomical and molecular methods. The major cascades of transcription factor expression have been identified, and deficits resulting from transcription factor knockouts are well characterized. There is extensive cross-regulation, both positive and negative, at the transcriptional level between transcription factors and this is vital in the formation of neural compartments. Many transcription factors are important at both early stages of optic cup formation and later stages of terminal differentiation of retinal cell types. The transcription factor cascades can be regulated by extrinsic factors, and some of the intracellular signaling pathways whereby this is achieved have been identified. Defining the quantitative interactions between regulatory molecules will be the next step in understanding this excellent model of vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) development.

Protective effect of arachidonic acid on glutamate neurotoxicity in rat retinal ganglion cells

PURPOSE

Low concentrations of excitotoxic agents such as glutamate decrease survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and may be an important cause of RGC death in a variety of retinal diseases. Arachidonic acid (AA), an intercellular messenger in the central nervous system, has been reported to have multiple effects on glutamate receptors, including an inhibitory effect on non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that AA could protect RGCs from glutamate neurotoxicity.

METHODS

RGCs were purified from the rat retina on postnatal days 7 and 8 by a modified two-step panning method. Survival of RGCs after exposure to glutamate, with or without AA treatment, was measured after 3 days in culture. To visualize calcium signals, RGCs were loaded with a calcium indicator dye, fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester, and the fluorescence was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Electrophysiological effects of AA on non-NMDA ionotropic receptors were examined by using whole-cell patch clamp configurations.

RESULTS

Incubation of RGCs with 25 microM glutamate caused 60% loss of RGCs. This glutamate neurotoxicity was significantly ameliorated by low concentrations of AA. Concentrations of AA above 10 microM were toxic to RGCs. Calcium imaging showed that glutamate-, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid- (AMPA) and kainate-induced intracellular calcium accumulation in these cells was reduced by AA. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that currents mediated by non-NMDA ionotropic receptors were inhibited by AA in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Low concentrations of AA can reduce glutamate neurotoxicity to RGCs by the inhibition of non-NMDA ionotropic receptors. These results suggest that endogenous or exogenous AA may be used to protect RGCs from glutamate neurotoxicity and that AA may be one potential treatment for RGC loss in a variety of eye diseases, including glaucoma.

cGMP-induced presynaptic depression and postsynaptic facilitation at glutamatergic synapses in visual cortex

The mechanisms by which the intracellular messenger cGMP can modulate synaptic efficacy remain poorly understood. Here we report that cGMP, acting through cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), has multiple rapid and reversible effects on synaptic transmission in slices and cultures of rodent visual cortex. Extracellular application of the membrane permeable cGMP analog 8-bromoguanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) and the PKG specific activator beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-8-bromoguanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate sp-isomer (Sp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS) reduced stimulus-evoked EPSPs in slices. In cortical cultures, both analogs reduced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs, but not their amplitude. In both slices and cultures, intracellular perfusion of the postsynaptic neurons with a pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide specific for PKG had no effect on the reduction in EPSPs and EPSCs, indicating that the inhibition occurred at presynaptic sites. Whole-cell calcium currents in cultured cortical neurons were also reduced by both analogs, which may account for the effect on synaptic release. To determine whether cGMP was also acting at postsynaptic sites, we applied exogenous kainate/AMPA and NMDA to the recorded cells directly. cGMP and its analogs showed little effect on the postsynaptic kainate/AMPA responses but produced a dramatic enhancement of NMDA responses. cGMP-induced NMDA potentiation was prevented by the specific PKG inhibitory peptide infused into the postsynaptic cell. In summary, cGMP, acting through PKG, had depressive presynaptic and facilitatory postsynaptic actions at excitatory synapses in the visual cortex. We suggest that these opposing actions may be useful for altering the balance of synaptic inputs to cortical neurons in ways that enhance signals important for synaptic facilitation and neuronal plasticity.

Developmental expression of intracellular targets of cGMP in rat visual cortex and alteration with dark rearing

We describe the temporal pattern of mRNA expression of some of the molecular components of the NO/cGMP second messenger system in the developing rat visual cortex and the effect of dark rearing on their expression levels using semiquantitative RT-PCR. mRNA expression for these molecules was altered by dark rearing in one of three ways: (1) no change--rod, olfactory, and cone/testis CNG channels, nonselective cation channels gated by cyclic nucleotides and highly permeable to Ca2+; (2) decrease--cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases which regulate cyclic nucleotide levels, and soluble guanylyl cyclase, the key synthetic enzyme producing cGMP and potently activated by nitric oxide; and (3) increase--cGMP kinase 1, a key enzyme activated by cGMP to phosphorylate a variety of intracellular proteins including cytoskeletal elements. These data suggest important and distinct roles for the cGMP system in both early and late developmental events in the rat visual cortex.

Defects in the MITF(mi/mi) apical surface are associated with a failure of outer segment elongation

The loss of MITF function in the MITF(mi/mi)mouse affects not only RPE differentiation, but also the development of rod photoreceptor outer segments. Our data indicate that opsin immunoreactivity is detected in the cell membrane and along the ONL/RPE border of developing MITF(mi/mi)rod photoreceptors and that rod outer segment morphogenesis is initiated. Although molecules associated with the outer segment continued to be expressed, outer segments did not elongate and develop stacked organized discs perpendicular to the RPE. The MITF(mi/mi)RPE also failed to form apical microvilli and lacked the apical network of the phosphoprotein ezrin seen in wild type tissue. The MITF(mi/mi)RPE basal surface was loosely organized and retained ezrin labelling which indicated some degree of differentiation. The correlation seen in our data suggest that there may be a link between the failure of the RPE apical domain to form and lack of rod outer segment elongation.

Miniature postsynaptic currents depend on Ca2+ released from internal stores via PLC/IP3 pathway

Miniature postsynaptic currents (mPSCs) were examined on autaptic innervation of single rat retinal ganglion cells in low density cultures. Removal of Ca2+ from bath solution or blocking of Ca2+ channels by Cd2+ had no detectable effect on mPSC frequency or amplitude. Thapsigargin, an agent for mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores, increased mPSC frequency 3-5-fold in control, Ca2+-free or Cd2+-containing solutions. The inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptor antago- nist, heparin; the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122; and caffeine abolished mPSC or decreased mPSCs frequency. Calcium imaging showed that cytosolic Ca2+ was increased by thapsigargin and decreased by caffeine. These data demonstrate that internal store-released Ca2+ regulated by the PLC/IP3/IP3-receptor pathway has critical contribution to generation and control of miniature release in retinal ganglion cells.

Müller cell protection of rat retinal ganglion cells from glutamate and nitric oxide neurotoxicity

PURPOSE

Low concentrations of excitotoxic agents such as glutamate and nitric oxide decrease survival rates of purified retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the retina, RGCs are ensheathed by retinal Müller glial (RMG) cell processes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RMG cells could protect RGCs from these excitotoxic injuries.

METHODS

RGCs were purified from 7- or 8-day-old Long Evans rats and cultured on polylysine/laminin-coated coverslips in serum-free medium for 2 days. The coverslips were then moved to dishes containing either confluent RMG monolayers or no glial cells in glutamate-free medium. Some dishes with confluent RMG cells were exposed to D,L-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartate (THA), a blocker of glutamate uptake. Three days after exposure to various concentrations of glutamate or the NO donor, 2, 2'-(hydroxynitroso-hydrazino)bisethanamine, survival rates of RGCs were measured by calcein-acetoxymethyl ester staining. Glutamate concentrations in the medium were measured using amino acid analysis.

RESULTS

Without RMG cells, the application of increasing concentrations (5-500 microM) of glutamate caused a dose-dependent increase in RGC death after 3 days. The neurotoxic effects of glutamate were blocked in the RMG cell cocultures, even when there was no direct contact between the cell types. The protective effect of RMG cells was weakened by THA treatment. NO also had toxic effects on RGC. RMG cells prevented this toxicity but only when in direct contact with the RGCs.

CONCLUSIONS

RMG cells can protect RGCs from glutamate and NO neurotoxicity. We suggest that functional disorders of glutamate uptake in RMGs might be one of the etiologies of glaucoma.

The subcellular localization of Otx2 is cell-type specific and developmentally regulated in the mouse retina

Recent evidence implicates homeodomain-containing proteins in the specification of cell fates in the central nervous system. Here we report that in the embryonic mouse eye Otx2, a paired homeodomain transcription factor, was found in retinal pigment epithelial cells and a restricted subset of retinal neurons, including ganglion cells. In the postnatal and adult eye, however, both the cellular and subcellular distribution of the Otx2 protein were cell type-specific. Otx2 was detected only in the nuclei of retinal pigment epithelial and bipolar cells, but was present in the cytoplasm of rod photoreceptors. Immunohistochemical studies of retinal explants and transfected cell lines both suggested that the retention of Otx2 in the cytoplasm of immature rods is a developmentally regulated process. The differential distribution of Otx2 in the cytoplasm of rods and the nucleus of other cell types, suggests that subcellular localization of this transcription factor may participate cell fate determination during specific phases of retinal development.

Impairment of rod cGMP-gated channel alpha-subunit expression leads to photoreceptor and bipolar cell degeneration

PURPOSE

To determine whether alterations in rod cGMP-gated channel function mediate retinal degeneration, a transgenic approach in which the alpha subunit of the rod cGMP-gated channel is reduced by the expression of an antisense RNA was used.

METHODS

A 890-bp fragment of the 5' mouse rod cGMP-gated channel cDNA was cloned in the antisense orientation under the control of the strong bacterial cytomegalovirus promoter. This antisense construct was used to generate transgenic mice in which the expression of the antisense transgene was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Histologic, immunocytochemical, and TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) analyses were performed on control and transgenic retina sections to determine the effects of antisense expression on specific cell types.

RESULTS

The antisense RNA was able to inhibit the translation of the rod channel protein in an in vitro assay. Three transgenic mouse lines expressing the antisense construct were obtained. Molecular analyses showed that the antisense is expressed in the eye of each transgenic mouse line, where it reduces rod cGMP-gated channel RNA expression. Histologic and immunocytochemical data showed that transgenic retinas have a reduced number of photoreceptors and bipolar cells. TUNEL staining confirmed that photoreceptor and bipolar cells degenerate along an apoptotic pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Impairment of rod cGMP-gated channel alpha subunit expression leads to photoreceptor and bipolar cell degeneration. These transgenic mice are the first model of retinal degeneration caused by an alteration in the expression of the rod cGMP-gated channel. This model system can be used to test therapies designed to slow or stalled retinal degenerations.

Dorsal retinal pigment epithelium differentiates as neural retina in the microphthalmia (mi/mi) mouse

PURPOSE

Microphthalmia, a bHLH-zip transcription factor associated with the onset and maintenance of pigmentation, identifies the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) compartment during optic vesicle and optic cup development. To determine a role for microphthalmia (mi) during eye development, the effects of an mi loss of function mutation on RPE and neural retinal were investigated in the mi/mi mouse.

METHODS

A series of embryonic and postnatal mi/mi and wild-type eyes were sectioned and labeled with neural retina- and RPE cell type-specific antibodies. Photoreceptor loss was quantified by counting the number of photoreceptor nuclei spanning the outer nuclear layer throughout postnatal retinal development.

RESULTS

Early neural retinal differentiation is not affected in the mi/mi mouse. The mi/mi ventral retinal pigment epithelial layer begins to develop normally, but does not pigment or attain a differentiated cuboidal morphology. The dorsal region of mi/mi retinal pigment epithelium expands and forms an ectopic retina, which develops all major retinal cell types along a similar time course as the wild type. After birth, mi/mi photoreceptors begin to form rosettes, outer segments fail to elongate, and over an extended time period, the retina degenerates.

CONCLUSIONS

Together these results suggest that early retinal development can proceed normally in the mi/mi mutant, but later retinal histogenesis is dependent on the presence of a differentiated retinal pigment epithelium. Most importantly, loss of mi function permits a change in cell fate from RPE to retina in the dorsal eye.

Temporal and spatial pattern of expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in developing rat visual cortex

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, ligand-gated and highly permeable to calcium, are good candidates for transducing signals received by migrating cells, growth cones and developing synapses. The level of calcium in growth cones is important for axon guidance. Further, cyclic nucleotides, whose levels can be altered by nitric oxide and other transmitters, are known to alter growth cone motility. We use rat visual cortex as a model in our semi-quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization studies to determine the developmental time course and localization of all three CNG family members (rod, olfactory and cone/testis). We demonstrate that in the cortex, the three channel subtypes are each expressed in a distinct temporal and spatial pattern in only sensorimotor and occipital regions of the cortex. Specifically, the rod and olfactory subtypes are present at the time of migration and rapid dendritic outgrowth, and the cone/testis subtype is highly expressed after eye opening. These results suggest CNG channels may play a role in both early and late events in visual cortical development.

Widespread expression of olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel genes in rat brain: implications for neuronal signalling

The cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are important intracellular messengers involved in a wide variety of signal transduction events in the nervous system. It has been proposed that cAMP/cGMP elicit some of their effects through direct gating of a novel class of Ca2+ -permeable ion channels that are termed cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. Previous studies have identified the expression of a gene encoding one major CNG channel subtype, the olfactory receptor neuron alpha subunit, in the brain [El-Husseini et al. (1995) NeuroReport 6:1331-1335; Kingston et al. (1996a) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93:10440-10445; Bradley et al. (1997) J. Neurosci. 17:1993-2085]. We, therefore, proposed that the actions of cAMP/cGMP on neurons in the brain might occur through the activation of these CNG channels. To determine how widespread such a function might be, the regional and cellular distribution of the olfactory CNG channel alpha subunit has been examined in detail. Primers for multiple portions of the olfactory CNG channel were used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify cDNA reverse-transcribed from several brain regions. The identities of PCR products were confirmed with Southern blots and by sequencing. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated localization of CNG channel mRNA in discrete neuronal populations throughout the brain. In agreement with previous work, relatively strong hybridization signals are present in neuronal cell bodies of the cerebellum, olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, and brainstem. Additionally, somewhat lesser signals are found in thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, and spinal cord while no hybridization signal was detectable in the caudate nucleus. This surprisingly wide distribution throughout the rat brain strengthens the hypothesis that CNG channels may influence numerous processes as downstream effectors of cyclic nucleotide cascades. Interestingly, the distribution of CNG channels is very similar to that of the nitric oxide/cGMP system, suggesting that one function of CNG channels in the brain could be to link diffusible messengers to elevated Ca2+ entry into neurons.

Molecular and pharmacological analysis of cyclic nucleotide-gated channel function in the central nervous system

Most functional studies of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels have been confined to photoreceptors and olfactory epithelium, in which CNG channels are abundant and easy to study. The widespread distribution of CNG channels in tissues throughout the body has only recently been recognized and the functions of this channel family in many of these tissues remain largely unknown. The molecular biological and pharmacological properties of the CNG channel family are summarized in order to put in context studies aimed at probing CNG channel functions in these tissues using pharmacological and genetic methods. Compounds have now been identified that are useful in distinguishing CNG channel activated pathways from cAMP/cGMP dependent-protein kinases or other pathways. The ways in which these interact with CNG channels are understood and this knowledge is leading to the identification of more potent and more specific CNG channel subtype-specific agonists or antagonists. Recent molecular and genetic analyses have identified novel roles of CNG channels in neuronal development and plasticity in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Targeting CNG channels via specific drugs and genetic manipulation (such as knockout mice) will permit better understanding of the role of CNG channels in both basic and higher orders of brain function.

Erx, a novel retina-specific homeodomain transcription factor, can interact with Ret 1/PCEI sites

Our previous studies on the transcriptional regulation of rod opsin gene expression had defined a strikingly conserved element, Ret 1/PCEI, present in the upstream regulatory regions of opsin and other photoreceptor-specific genes. This element interacts with a 40 kDa, developmentally regulated, retina-specific protein. In this study we report the cloning of the novel retina-specific homeodomain protein Erx. Erx contains a homeodomain that is 79% homologous to that of Drosophila empty spiracles. This 40 kDa protein can interact with the Ret 1 element in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Mutation of key residues in Ret 1 eliminates all Erx binding. Transient transfection of Y79 retinobalstoma cells with Erx leads to significant transcriptional activation of a reporter gene via Ret 1 elements. We conclude that Erx is the Ret 1 binding activity. This is the first example of a Q50 homeodomain protein expressed in retinal photoreceptors.

Developmental expression of the rat rod photoreceptor cGMP-gated cation channel

The appearance of cGMP-gated cation channel protein in the postnatal rat retina has been studied by fluorescence immunocytochemistry of radial retinal sections and immunoblots of retinal membrane proteins. Channel immunoreactivity was first detectable with RCNGC1-7H2 monoclonal antibody at postnatal day 7 (PN7) by both methods. Immunocytochemical label in retinal sections was localized to the outer segments, and immunoreactivity increased with increasing age. We also compared the developmental appearance of the cGMP-gated cation channel to that of other phototransduction proteins and developmental markers. RET-P2, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the 39-kDa rds/peripherin disc protein, first labeled outer segments at PN7, coincident with cGMP-gated cation channel expression. Double labeling of the same section of PN7 rat retina with RET-P2 and R309 (a polyclonal antiserum against the rod cGMP-gated cation channel) revealed identical patterns of labelling. Similarly, double labeling with RCNGC1-7H2 and an antibody against the rod cGMP-phosphodiesterase gave coincident labeling, suggesting coordinate expression mechanisms of phototransduction proteins with each other and with outer segment structural proteins.