A GABA antagonist, bicuculline, exerts its uncoupling action on external horizontal cells through dopamine cells in carp retina

Dopamine inhibits calcium-independent gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid release induced by kainate and high K+ in the fish retina

Kainic acid (KA) at micromolar concentrations stimulated the release of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) from a particulate fraction of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) retina. The KA action was dose-dependent but Ca2+-independent. A similar response was elicited by another glutamate receptor agonist, quisqualic acid, and high K+, but not by an aspartate agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid. The stimulatory action of KA on the [3H]GABA release was selectively blocked by the KA blockers gamma-D-glutamylglycine and cis-2,3-piperidine dicarboxylic acid. Dopamine (DA), which is contained in DA interplexiform cells in the carp retina, inhibited the [3H]GABA release induced by KA and high K+ in a dose-dependent manner. 5-Hydroxytryptamine and two well-known GABA antagonists, bicuculline (Bic) and picrotoxin (Pic), also mimicked the DA effect on the GABA release at a comparable concentration. This inhibitory effect of DA as well as Bic and Pic on the [3H]GABA release evoked by KA was clearly antagonized by a DA blocker, haloperidol. The action of these agents (KA, DA, GABA antagonist) belonging to three different receptor categories on the GABAergic neurons (possibly external horizontal cells; H1 cells) is discussed in relation to other electrophysiological studies on the lateral spread of S-potentials between H1 cells.

A bifurcate axon of horizontal cells in the carp retina

In flatmounts of the carp retina, among 368 cone-connected horizontal cells, which were singly marked by intracellular Lucifer yellow under various experimental conditions, 15 cells (4.1%) were found to possess a bifurcate axon and two terminals. The lengths of single and bifurcate axonal processes (an axon plus its terminal) are all comparable, ranging from 400 to 600 micron.

Dye coupling between amacrine cells in carp retina

Amacrine cells in isolated retinas of the carp (Cyprinus carpio) were intracellularly recorded and marked with a fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow. On occasion, dye coupling was found to occur between amacrine cells when the dye was iontophoretically injected into an amacrine cell, generating one of the transient or sustained types of photoresponse. Dye-coupled cells in the vicinity of the marked cell were very similar to the marked cell in soma shape and dendritic stratification. Dye diffusion is assumed to take place at gap junctions between dendrities of amacrine cells which belong to a population of similar type cells in morphology and possibly in function.

Catecholamine systems of retina: a model for studying synaptic mechanisms

The retina contains three catecholamine neurotransmitters: dopamine (DA); norepinephrine (NE); and epinephrine (EPI). DA and EPI appear to be associated with separate amacrine neurons that directly participate in the visual process. NE, in contrast, appears to be associated primarily with the sympathetic nerves that innervate the blood vessels of the retina. We present a synopsis of the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology of these retinal neurons. We also suggest that some diseases usually associated with catecholamines of brain may have their counterpart in retina.

Regular orientation of horizontal cells in the river lamprey retina

In isolated retinas of the river lamprey (Lampetra japonica), two types (fast and slow) of light-induced responses (S-potentials) were recorded from two distinct classes of axon-bearing horizontal cells. After the spectral responses of recording cells were examined, a fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow CH (LY) was ionophoretically injected into individual cells. Such a cellular marking was made for 15-25 points per retina successively in time and in space. Then the retinas were processed as flatmounts for fluorescence microscopic observation. Horizontal cells marked with LY were correlated with the recordings and mapped in the retinal field. Both classes of horizontal cells were found to be regularly arranged in space around the optic disc; the long axes of somata and axonal processes are oriented in parallel with the latitude line of the eyeball through the optic disc.

The identification and some functions of GABAergic neurons in the distal catfish retina

Putative GABAergic neurons in the outer retina of the Texas channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were studied using autoradiographic, biochemical and electrophysiological techniques. A red cone horizontal cell was found to accumulate exogenous GABA in the presence of red light. GABA could be released from these cells with high K+ Ringers solution. The release was only partially blocked by Co2+ and therefore may be only partially Ca2+ dependent. The red cone horizontal cells were found to contain significant activities of L-glutamic acid decarboxylase and GABA transaminase, the enzymes responsible for GABA synthesis and degradation respectively. These data suggest that catfish red cone horizontal cells are GABAergic. To substantiate this, recordings were made from photoreceptors and horizontal cells during the superfusion of the GABA blocking agents bicuculline methochloride or picrotoxin. These agents modified the cone responses in the manner specified if they were blocking the feedback pathway from horizontal cells to cones. Thus it is likely that the horizontal cells are using GABA as the transmitter in the feedback pathway. In addition, the GABA blocking agents were found to interfere with changes in horizontal cell responses which occur during light adaptation.