Acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter in the vertebrate retina

Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Retina-Therapeutic Implications

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) belong to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The family of mAChRs is composed of five subtypes, M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5, which have distinct expression patterns and functions. In the eye and its adnexa, mAChRs are widely expressed and exert multiple functions, such as modulation of tear secretion, regulation of pupil size, modulation of intraocular pressure, participation in cell-to-cell signaling and modula-tion of vascular diameter in the retina. Due to this variety of functions, it is reasonable to assume that abnormalities in mAChR signaling may contribute to the development of various ocular diseases. On the other hand, mAChRs may offer an attractive therapeutic target to treat ocular diseases. Thus far, non-subtype-selective mAChR ligands have been used in ophthalmology to treat dry eye disease, myopia and glaucoma. However, these drugs were shown to cause various side-effects. Thus, the use of subtype-selective ligands would be useful to circumvent this problem. In this review, we give an overview on the localization and on the functional role of mAChR subtypes in the eye and its adnexa with a special focus on the retina. Moreover, we describe the pathophysiological role of mAChRs in retinal diseases and discuss potential therapeutic approaches.

Heterogeneous Presynaptic Distribution of Munc13 Isoforms at Retinal Synapses and Identification of an Unconventional Bipolar Cell Type with Dual Expression of Munc13 Isoforms: A Study Using Munc13-EXFP Knock-in Mice

Munc13 isoforms are constituents of the presynaptic compartment of chemical synapses, where they govern important steps in preparing synaptic vesicles for exocytosis. The role of Munc13-1, -2 and -3 is well documented in brain neurons, but less is known about their function and distribution among the neurons of the retina and their conventional and ribbon-type chemical synapses. Here, we examined the retinae of Munc13-1-, -2-, and -3-EXFP knock-in (KI) mice with a combination of immunocytochemistry, physiology, and electron microscopy. We show that knock-in of Munc13-EXFP fusion proteins did not affect overall retinal anatomy or synapse structure, but slightly affected synaptic transmission. By labeling Munc13-EXFP KI retinae with specific antibodies against Munc13-1, -2 and -3, we found that unlike in the brain, most retinal synapses seem to operate with a single Munc13 isoform. A surprising exception to this rule was type 6 ON bipolar cells, which expressed two Munc13 isoforms in their synaptic terminals, ubMunc13-2 and Munc13-3. The results of this study provide an important basis for future studies on the contribution of Munc13 isoforms in visual signal processing in the mammalian retina.

Accumulation of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and impairment of visual function in the eyes of marine medaka after a life-cycle exposure

As an alternative to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), increasing usage of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) has led to ubiquitous presence in the environment. PFBS is also shown to potently disrupt the thyroid endocrine system. Considering the regulation of thyroid hormones in visual development, PFBS is likely to adversely affect the development and function of visual systems, which is a sensitive target of environmental pollutants. Therefore, the present study exposed marine medaka embryos to environmentally realistic concentrations of PFBS (0, 1.0, 2.9 and 9.5 μg/L) for an entire life-cycle. After exposure until sexual maturity, eyes of adult medaka were dissected to directly investigate the ocular accumulation and toxicity of PFBS. For the first time, substantial accumulation of an environmental pollutant (i.e., PFBS) was observed in the eye tissue. PFBS exposure was also found to impair the visual development and function in a sex-dependent manner. In female medaka, weight of eyes was significantly decreased, while content of water was increased, probably resulting in higher intraocular pressure. Multiple neural signaling processes were also disturbed by PFBS life-cycle exposure, including cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic and monoaminergic systems. Increased levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine neurotransmitters may adaptively decrease the intraocular hypertension in female eyes. In addition, proteomic profiling identified the visual proteins of differential expressions (e.g., beta and gamma crystallins, arrestin and lumican), which were significantly associated with visual perception and motor activity of eyes. Overall, this study found that PFBS was able to accumulate in the eyes and induce ocular toxicities. The susceptibility and sex-specific responses of visual systems to environmental pollutants warrants more works for a comprehensive risk assessment.

ATF3 Regulates the Expression of AChE During Stress

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expresses in non-cholinergic cells, but its role(s) there remain unknown. We have previously attributed a pro-apoptotic role for AChE in stressed retinal photoreceptors, though by unknown mechanism. Here, we examined its promoter only to find that it includes a binding sequence for the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3); a prototypical mediator of apoptosis. This suggests that expression of AChE could be regulated by ATF3 in the retina. Indeed, ATF3 binds the AChE-promoter to down-regulate its expressions in vitro. Strikingly, retinas of “blinded” mice display hallmarks of apoptosis, almost exclusively in the outer nuclear layer (ONL); coinciding with elevated levels of AChE and absence of ATF3. A mirror image is observed in the inner nuclear layer (INL), namely prominent levels of ATF3 and lack of AChE as well as lack of apoptosis. We conclude that segregated patterns of expressions of ATF3 reflect its ability to repress apoptosis in different layers of the retina—a novel mechanism behind apoptosis.

RPE and Choroid Mechanisms Underlying Ocular Growth and Myopia

Myopia is the most common type of refractive errors and one of the world's leading causes of blindness. Visual manipulations in animal models have provided convincing evidence for the role of environmental factors in myopia development. These models along with in vitro studies have provided important insights into underlying mechanisms. The key locations of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid make them plausible conduits for relaying growth regulatory signals originating in the retina to the sclera, which ultimately determines eye size and shape. Identifying the key signal molecules and their targets may lead to the development of new myopia control treatments. This section summarizes findings implicating the RPE and choroid in myopia development. For RPE and/or choroid, changes in morphology, activity of ion channels/transporters, as well as in gene and protein expression, have been linked to altered eye growth. Both tissues thus represent potential targets for novel therapies for myopia.

Ocular cytochrome P450s and transporters: roles in disease and endobiotic and xenobiotic disposition

Drug metabolism and transport processes in the liver, intestine and kidney that affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents have been studied extensively. In contrast, comparatively little research has been conducted on these topics as they pertain to the eye. Recently, however, catalytic functions of ocular cytochrome P450 enzymes have gained increasing attention, in large part due to the roles of CYP1B1 and CYP4V2 variants in primary congenital glaucoma and Bietti's corneoretinal crystalline dystrophy, respectively. In this review, we discuss challenges to ophthalmic drug delivery, including Phase I drug metabolism and transport in the eye, and the role of three specific P450s, CYP4B1, CYP1B1 and CYP4V2 in ocular inflammation and genetically determined ocular disease.

Intricate paths of cells and networks becoming "Cholinergic" in the embryonic chicken retina

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are the decisive enzymatic activities regulating the availability of acetylcholine (ACh) at a given synaptic or nonsynaptic locus. The only cholinergic cells of the mature inner retina are the so-called starburst amacrine cells (SACs). A type-I SAC, found at the outer border of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), forms a synaptic subband "a" within the IPL, while a type-II SAC located at the inner IPL border projects into subband "d." Applying immunohistochemistry for ChAT and AChE on sections of the chicken retina, we here have revealed intricate relationships of how retinal networks became dominated by AChE or by ChAT reactivities. AChE+ cells were first detectable in an embryonic day (E)4 retina, while ChAT appeared 1 day later in the very same cells; at this stage all are Brn3a+, a marker for ganglion cells (GCs). On either side of a faint AChE+ band, indicating the future IPL, pairs of ChAT+ /AChE- /Brn3a- cells appeared between E7/8. Type-I cells had increased ChAT and lost AChE; type-II cells presented less ChAT, but some AChE on their surfaces. Direct neighbors of SACs tended to express much AChE. Along with maturation, subband "a" presented more ChAT but less AChE; in subband "d" this pattern was reversed. In conclusion, the two retinal cholinergic networks segregate out from one cell pool, become locally opposed to each other, and become dominated by either synthesis or degradation of ACh. These "cholinergic developmental divergences" may also have significant physiologic consequences.

Stressing hematopoiesis and immunity: an acetylcholinesterase window into nervous and immune system interactions

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) differentiate and generate all blood cell lineages while maintaining self-renewal ability throughout life. Systemic responses to stressful insults, either psychological or physical exert both stimulating and down-regulating effects on these dynamic members of the immune system. Stress-facilitated division and re-oriented differentiation of progenitor cells modifies hematopoietic cell type composition, while enhancing cytokine production and promoting inflammation. Inversely, stress-induced increases in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) act to mitigate inflammatory response and regain homeostasis. This signaling process is terminated when ACh is hydrolyzed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Alternative splicing, which is stress-modified, changes the composition of AChE variants, modifying their terminal sequences, susceptibility for microRNA suppression, and sub-cellular localizations. Intriguingly, the effects of stress and AChE variants on hematopoietic development and inflammation in health and disease are both subject to small molecule as well as oligonucleotide-mediated manipulations in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic agents can thus be targeted to the enzyme protein, its encoding mRNA transcripts, or the regulator microRNA-132, opening new venues for therapeutic interference with multiple nervous and immune system diseases.

Histological protection by donepezil against neurodegeneration induced by ischemia-reperfusion in the rat retina

Although a blockade of acetylcholine esterase has been reported to suppress neuronal cell death induced by exogenous glutamate and beta-amyloid, information is still limited regarding the neuroprotective effects of the acetylcholine esterase inhibitor donepezil. We histologically examined the effects of donepezil on neuronal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Intravenous and intravitreous treatment with donepezil 15 min prior to ischemia dramatically reduced the retinal damage. The protective effect of donepezil in the ganglion cell layer was not affected by mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholine-receptor antagonist, nor scopolamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine-receptor antagonist. The protective effect of donepezil in the inner plexiform layer was reduced not by mecamylamine, but by scopolamine. Neostigmine, a choline-esterase inhibitor, and pilocarpine, a muscarinic acetylcholine-receptor agonist, have protective effects in the inner plexiform layer and the inner nuclear layer. These results suggest that not only the activation of acetylcholine receptors but also a mechanism unrelated to acetylcholine-esterase inhibition contribute to the protective effect of donepezil on the ganglion cells in the ischemic-reperfused rat retina. Donepezil may be useful as a therapeutic drug against retinal diseases that cause neuronal cell death such as glaucoma with high intraocular pressure.

Neural control of eye growth and experimental myopia in primates

Macaque monkeys become myopic when raised with fused lids to expose the retina to formless shadows during the period of postnatal eye development. The effect of the abnormal visual input is an excessive expansion of the posterior segment of the eye, a process that seems to be controlled by the nervous system. The mechanism by which the nervous system influences eye growth appears to be different in the stumptailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) and the rhesus macaque (M. mulatta). Lid-fused arctoides monkeys do not develop myopia when the ciliary muscle is paralysed or the optic nerve is cut, suggesting that the abnormal growth is caused by excessive accommodation. In contrast, paralysis of the ciliary muscle or optic nerve section does not prevent the development of myopia in the rhesus macaque, suggesting that in this species the axial growth is controlled by the retina. In both species neonatal lid fusion causes a marked increase in retinal vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). VIP is contained in a single type of amacrine cell whose dendrites spread in the middle of the inner plexiform layer. It remains to be determined whether the increase in the level of VIP is related to the abnormal axial elongation caused by lid fusion. At present we are also exploring the effects of accommodation on the growth of the eye by training juvenile arctoides monkeys to work on complex visual discrimination paradigms. Preliminary results show that performing a visual task at close range may influence the axial length and refraction in this macaque species.

Muscarinic ACh Receptor Activation Causes Transmitter Release From Isolated Frog Vestibular Hair Cells

In the frog, vestibular efferent fibers innervate only type-II vestibular hair cells. Through this direct contact with hair cells, efferent neurons are capable of modifying transmitter release from hair cells onto primary vestibular afferents. The major efferent transmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), is known to produce distinct pharmacological actions involving several ACh receptors. Previous studies have implicated the presence of muscarinic ACh receptors on vestibular hair cells, although, surprisingly, a muscarinic-mediated electrical response has not been demonstrated in solitary vestibular hair cells. This study demonstrates that muscarinic receptors can evoke transmitter release from vestibular hair cells. Detection of this release was obtained through patch-clamp recordings from catfish cone horizontal cells, serving as glutamate detectors after pairing them with isolated frog semicircular canal hair cells in a two-cell preparation. Although horizontal cells alone failed to respond to carbachol, application of 20 μM carbachol to the two-cell preparation resulted in a horizontal cell response that could be mimicked by exogenous application of glutamate. All of the horizontal cells in the two-cell preparation responded to 20 μM CCh. Furthermore, this presumed transmitter release persisted in the presence of d-tubocurarine at concentrations that block all known hair cell nicotinic ACh receptors. The effect on the detector cell, imparted by the carbachol application to the hair cell-horizontal cell preparation, was blocked both by 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, a selective N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, and the muscarinic antagonist, atropine. Thus vestibular hair cells from the frog semicircular canal can be stimulated to release transmitter by activating their muscarinic receptors.

Control of programmed cell death by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the developing mammalian retina

It has long been known that a barrage of signals from neighboring and connecting cells, as well as components of the extracellular matrix, control cell survival. Given the extensive repertoire of retinal neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and neurotrophic factors, and the exhuberant interconnectivity of retinal interneurons, it is likely that various classes of released neuroactive substances may be involved in the control of sensitivity to retinal cell death. The aim of this article is to review evidence that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides control the sensitivity to programmed cell death in the developing retina. Whereas the best understood mechanism of execution of cell death is that of caspase-mediated apoptosis, current evidence shows that not only there are many parallel pathways to apoptotic cell death, but non-apoptotic programs of execution of cell death are also available, and may be triggered either in isolation or combined with apoptosis. The experimental data show that many upstream signaling pathways can modulate cell death, including those dependent on the second messengers cAMP-PKA, calcium and nitric oxide. Evidence for anterograde neurotrophic control is provided by a variety of models of the central nervous system, and the data reviewed here indicate that an early function of certain neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and dopamine, as well as neuropeptides such as pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide and vasoactive intestinal peptide is the trophic support of cell populations in the developing retina. This may have implications both regarding the mechanisms of retinal organogenesis, as well as pathological conditions leading to retinal dystrophies and to dysfunctional cellular behavior.

Muscarinic calcium mobilization in the regenerating retina of adult newt

We used optical recording with a Ca(2+)-sensitive dye, fura2, in living slice preparations from the newt retina at different stages of regeneration. ACh produced the most pronounced [Ca2+]i rise in progenitor cells and premature ganglion cells of the earlier stage of retinal regeneration, but less pronounced Ca2+ response in ganglion cells just before, or at the beginning of, synaptogenesis. The [Ca2+]i rise to ACh was mediated by mAChRs. This was shown by inhibition of the ACh-induced Ca2+ response with a preincubation of the mAChR antagonist atropine as well as with direct stimulation of the [Ca2+]i rise by the mAChR agonist muscarine. This muscarine-induced [Ca2+]i rise was more greatly suppressed by the M1 and/or M3 preferring mAChR antagonists than by the M2 preferring mAChR antagonist. The [Ca2+]i rise due to muscarine was not suppressed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, but suppressed in part in the presence of the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blockers, verapamil or nicardipine. Furthermore, thapsigargin (TG), a Ca-ATPase inhibitor, abolished the muscarine-induced [Ca2+]i rise in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that the mAChR-mediated [Ca2+]i rise is mainly a result of a release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. TG produced a slow rise in the resting level of [Ca2+]i. This [Ca2+]i raise was suppressed as extracellular Ca2+ was omitted, whereas a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i occurred when extracellular Ca2+ was reintroduced, suggesting the occurrence of the capacitative Ca2+ influx in the progenitor cells and premature ganglion cells of the regenerating newt retina.

Morphological and functional organization of ON and OFF pathways in the adult newt retina

Morphological and functional organization of ON and OFF pathways in the adult newt retina were examined by intracellular recording and staining techniques and immunohistochemistry. Synaptotagmin immunoreactivity discriminated three broad bands within the IPL: the distal band (sublamina I), the middle band (sublamina II) consisting of two dense punctate bands (sublaminae II(a) and II(b)), and proximal band (sublamina III). The Lucifer-yellow labeled OFF amacrine and ganglion cells send their processes mainly in sublamina I and/or II(a) where OFF bipolar cells extend their axon terminals, while ON amacrine and ganglion cells send their processes in sublamina III and/or II(b) where ON bipolar cells extend their axon terminals. Processes of ON-OFF amacrine and ganglion cells ramify broadly in the whole thickness of the IPL. Many bipolar cells responded to light spot with a transient hyperpolarization at both light onset and offset. They are probably subtypes of ON bipolar cells, because their axon terminals branch mainly in sublaminae III and/or II(b), although a few cells ramified the axon at both sublaminae II(a) and III. Two immunohistochemical markers for bipolar cells, PKC and RB-1, identified axon terminals in sublaminae III and/or II(b). From the ramification pattern of axon terminal, they are probably subtypes of ON bipolar cells. ChAT-ir amacrine cells ramified their dendrites in either sublamina I or II(b). Altogether, present studies support the general idea of segregation of ON and OFF pathways in sublaminae a and b of the IPL.

Cholinergic activity modulates the survival of retinal ganglion cells in culture: the role of M1 muscarinic receptors

The control of natural cell death is mediated by neurotrophins released by target, afferent and glial cells. In the present work we show that treatment of retinal cells 'in vitro' for 48 h with 25 microM carbamylcholine induced a two-fold increase in retinal ganglion cells survival. This effect was dose-dependent and mediated by M1 receptors since it could be blocked by 1 microM telenzepine (a M1 receptor antagonist) and mimicked by 200 microM oxotremorine (a M1 receptor agonist). The effect of carbamylcholine was abolished by 10 microM BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator), 30 microM dantrolene (an inhibitor of ryanodinic receptors), 500 nM H-89 (an inhibitor of PKA), 1.25 microM chelerythrine chloride (an inhibitor of PKC) and 50 microM PD-98059 (a MEK inhibitor). Treatment with 10 microM genistein (an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase), 25 microM LY-294002 (a PI-3 kinase blocker), 30 nM brefeldin-A (a blocker of polypeptides release), 50 nM K-252a (a Trk receptor inhibitor) and 20 microM fluorodeoxyuridine (an inhibitor of cell proliferation) totally inhibited the effect of carbamylcholine. Taken together our results indicate that muscarinic activity controls the survival of retinal ganglion cells through a mechanism involving the release of polypeptides and activation of Irk receptors.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the normal, developing and regenerating newt retinas

Immunoreactivity for m2 and m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) was demonstrated in the adult newt retina. The m2 mAChR was localized to somata on either side of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), especially ganglion cells, and also distributed into two bands within the IPL. The distal band at a depth of 0-15% IPL co-localized with one of two choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactive bands, while the proximal band at 85-100% depth did not overlap with either of the ChAT-ir bands. The m4 mAChR was localized to somata closely apposed to either side of the IPL, probably amacrine cell somata, and no immunoreactivity was detectable throughout the IPL. The time course of appearance of the m2 and m4 mAChRs was examined in both developing and regenerating retinas. Like acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the m2 was first detected in somata located at the most proximal level of the retina well before ChAT-ir cholinergic neurons appeared, while the m4 was detected at the time of appearance of ChAT, in both developing and regenerating retinas. When the outer plexiform layer (OPL) began to form, somata in the horizontal cell layer became transiently immunoreactive to the m2. The discrepancy in distribution of the m2 and ChAT in the IPL suggests that mAChR may play a role other than cholinergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, the similarity in time course of appearance of the m2 and m4, as well as other cholinergic system components [4], in both developing and regenerating retinas would suggest that the mechanisms that control neuronal differentiation during retinal development and regeneration are similar.

Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase in normal and diabetic rat retina

We studied the composition of molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas. Tissues were sequentially extracted with saline (S1) and saline-detergent buffers (S2). 50% decrease in the amphiphilic G4 and G1 AChE molecular forms was observed in the diabetic retina compared to the controls. Less than 5% of the cholinesterase activity was due to BChE. 60% of the BChE activity in normal retina was brought into solution and evenly distributed between S1 and S2. In spite of the low BChE activity in the retina it was possible to detect globular forms (G(A)1, G(A)2, G(A)4, G(H)4) and a small proportion of an asymmetric form (A12) in the S1 extract. The G(A)4 and G(A)1 forms were found in the S2 extract. In the diabetic retina the activity of G(A)4 and G(A)1 BChE molecular forms was reduced 60% and 40% respectively. Our results indicate that diabetes caused a remarkable decrease in the activity of cholinesterase molecular forms in the retina. These decrease might participate in the alterations observed in the diabetic retina.

Kinetic constants for the inhibition of camel retinal acetylcholinesterase by the carbamate insecticide lannate

We have designed this study to determine various kinetic parameters of camel retinal membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) inhibition by carbamate insecticide lannate [methyl N-[[(methylamino)carbonyl]oxy] ethanimidothioate]. All these kinetic constants were derived by simple graphical methods. The value of kinetic parameters was estimated as follows: 0.061 microM)(-1), 1.14 (microM)(-1), 0.216 microM, 0.016 min(-1), 0.0741 (gammaM min)(-1) 0.746 microM, and 4.42 microM for velocity constant (Kv), new inhibition constant (Knic), dissociation constant (Kd), carbamylation rate constant (k2c), overall carbamylation rate constant (k'2), 50% inhibition constant (K150), and 99% inhibition constant (K199), respectively. These unique methods may be used to estimate such kinetic parameters for time-dependent inhibition of enzymes by variety of chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, and drugs.

Kinetic analysis of the toxicological effect of tacrine (Cognex) on human retinal acetylcholinesterase activity

For the first time, kinetic parameters of the effect of tacrine, an anti-cholinesterase inhibitor of therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease has been studied on human retinal acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE). Tacrine inhibited the AChE activity in a concentration dependent manner, the IC(50) being about 45 nM. The Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide was found to be 0.120 mM and this value was increased by 4-52.8% in the presence of tacrine. V(max) was observed to be 2.23 micromol/h per mg protein for the control system, while it was decreased by 14.73-56.25% in the tacrine treated systems. Dixon as well as Lineweaver-Burk plots and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition was of the mixed type, i. e. a combination of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. The values of K(i) and K(I) were estimated to be as 37.76 and 64.36 nM, respectively.

Expression, distribution and ultrastructural localization of the synapse-organizing molecule agrin in the mature avian retina

At the vertebrate neuromuscular junction the extracellular matrix molecule agrin is responsible for the formation, maintenance and regeneration of most if not all postsynaptic specializations. Several agrin isoforms are generated by alternative splicing which differ in their function and which are all expressed in the CNS. To analyse the role of agrin in the CNS, we investigated the expression and ultrastructural localization of agrin in the posthatched chick retina. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of agrin mRNA in all cellular layers of the mature retina, indicating that most if not all major retinal cell types synthesize agrin. Pan-specific as well as isoform-specific antiagrin antisera stained the optic fibre layer and the outer plexiform layer. However, only the pan-specific antiserum additionally stained the inner limiting membrane. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that in the optic fibre layer agrin was associated with ganglion cell axons and that at least part of this agrin corresponds to a neuronal isoform of agrin. In the outer plexiform layer, agrin was localized in the cleft between the photoreceptor terminals and the invaginating horizontal and bipolar cell dendrites. In the synapse-containing inner plexiform layer both antisera revealed punctate immunoreactivity. This staining corresponded to agrin concentrated in the synaptic cleft of conventional synapses as determined by preembedding immunoelectron microscopy. Agrin is thus concentrated at mature interneuronal synapses as it is at the neuromuscular junction, consistent with a role of agrin during formation and/or maintenance of synapses in the CNS.

Structural roles of acetylcholinesterase variants in biology and pathology

Apart from its catalytic function in hydrolyzing acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) affects cell proliferation, differentiation and responses to various insults, including stress. These responses are at least in part specific to the three C-terminal variants of AChE which are produced by alternative splicing of the single ACHE gene. 'Synaptic' AChE-S constitutes the principal multimeric enzyme in brain and muscle; soluble, monomeric 'readthrough' AChE-R appears in embryonic and tumor cells and is induced under psychological, chemical and physical stress; and glypiated dimers of erythrocytic AChE-E associate with red blood cell membranes. We postulate that the homology of AChE to the cell adhesion proteins, gliotactin, glutactin and the neurexins, which have more established functions in nervous system development, is the basis of its morphogenic functions. Competition between AChE variants and their homologs on interactions with the corresponding protein partners would inevitably modify cellular signaling. This can explain why AChE-S exerts process extension from cultured amphibian, avian and mammalian glia and neurons in a manner that is C-terminus-dependent, refractory to several active site inhibitors and, in certain cases, redundant to the function of AChE-like proteins. Structural functions of AChE variants can explain their proliferative and developmental roles in blood, bone, retinal and neuronal cells. Moreover, the association of AChE excess with amyloid plaques in the degenerating human brain and with progressive cognitive and neuromotor deficiencies observed in AChE-transgenic animal models most likely reflects the combined contributions of catalytic and structural roles.

Manipulations of ACHE gene expression suggest non-catalytic involvement of acetylcholinesterase in the functioning of mammalian photoreceptors but not in retinal degeneration

To explore role(s) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in functioning and diseased photoreceptors, we studied normal (rd/+) and degenerating (rd/rd) murine retinas. All retinal neurons, expressed AChEmRNA throughout fetal development. AChE and c-Fos mRNAs peaked at post-natal days 10-12, when apoptosis of rd/rd photoreceptors begins. Moreover, c-Fos and AChEmRNA were co-overexpressed in rd/rd mice producing transgenic human (h), and host (m) AChE, but not in rd/+ mice. However, mAChE overexpression also occurred in transgenics expressing human serum albumin. Drastic variations in AChE catalytic activity were ineffective during development. Neither transgenic excess nor diisopropylfluorophosphonate (DFP) inhibition (80%) affected the rd phenotype; nor did DFP exposure induce photoreceptor degeneration or affect other key cholinergic proteins in rd/+ mice, unlike reports of adult mice and despite massive induction under DFP of c-Fos70 years). Therefore, the extreme retinal sensitivity to AChE modulation may reflect non-catalytic function(s) of AChE in adult photoreceptors. These findings exclude AChE as causing the rd phenotype, suggest that its primary function(s) in mammalian retinal development are non-catalytic ones and indicate special role(s) for the AChE protein in adult photoreceptors.

Choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in the normal, developing and regenerating newt retinas

The presence of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was demonstrated in the adult newt retina using immunocytochemical and histochemical techniques. Within the inner plexiform layer (IPL), two ChAT-positive bands were detected at relative depths of 0-15% and 45-60% of the total thickness (100%) of the IPL. AChE-positive band occupied approximately 0-60% of the IPL width with an intensive AChE-positive band at a depth of 20-40% within the IPL. Localizations of maximum ChAT and AChE activity were not exactly the same in the IPL of the mature retina. To elucidate whether retinal regeneration follows the same sequence of cellular differentiation steps that occur in retinal development, we examined the time course of appearance of the cholinergic neurons and AChE activity in both developing and regenerating retinas. The ChAT-positive cells were first detected in the retina just before or at the beginning of the morphological development of the IPL in both developing and regenerating retinas. AChE activity first became detectable in somata located at the most proximal layer of the retina before the ChAT-positive cells could be detected and well before the IPL developed in both developing and regenerating retinas. During subsequent development and regeneration, the outer plexiform layer, the IPL, and somata close to either side of the IPL became AChE-positive. The fact that the time course of the appearance of ChAT and AChE molecules during regeneration was similar to that observed during development suggests that common mechanisms may control both the development and the regeneration of the newt retina.

Kinetics of the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in camel retina by cisplatin

The inhibitory effect of cisplatin (CDDP) on camel retina acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was characterized. The CDDP effect was independent of the time of incubation with AChE before the addition of substrate, indicative of reversible inhibition. Moreover, dilution data prove that CDDP is a reversible inhibitor of camel retina AChE. Cisplatin inhibited AChE activity of camel retina in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, the IC50 values being 5.32 and 0.196 mM at 5 min and 24 h incubation times, respectively. The IC50 has dual components, i.e. directly proportional and inversely proportional to 0-1.5 h and 1.5-24 h incubation periods, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide (ASCh) was found to be 0.0796 mM and Vmax was 0.668 micromol/min/mg protein. Kmapp and Vmaxapp both decreased as the CDDP concentration increased. Dixon as well as Lineweaver-Burk plots and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition was of the pure uncompetitive type. The value of Ki was estimated as 0.811 mM by the primary and secondary replots of the Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots. Kiapp decreased while Vmaxiapp increased after increasing the ASCh concentration.

Cholinergic neurons and terminal fields revealed by immunohistochemistry for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. I. Central nervous system

Antibodies directed against the C-terminus of the rat vesicular acetylcholine transporter mark expression of this specifically cholinergic protein in perinuclear regions of the soma and on secretory vesicles concentrated within cholinergic nerve terminals. In the central nervous system, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter terminal fields of the major putative cholinergic pathways in cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, olfactory cortex and interpeduncular nucleus were examined and characterized. The existence of an intrinsic cholinergic innervation of cerebral cortex was confirmed by both in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for the rat vesicular acetylcholine transporter and choline acetyltransferase. Cholinergic interneurons of the olfactory tubercle and Islands of Calleja, and the major intrinsic cholinergic innervation of striatum were fully characterized at the light microscopic level with vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunohistochemistry. Cholinergic staining was much more extensive for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter than for choline acetyltransferase in all these regions, due to visualization of cholinergic nerve terminals not easily seen with immunohistochemistry for choline acetyltransferase in paraffin-embedded sections. Cholinergic innervation of the median eminence of the hypothalamus, previously observed with vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunohistochemistry, was confirmed by the presence of vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunoreactivity in extracts of median eminence by western blotting. Cholinergic projections to cerebellum, pineal gland, and to the substantia nigra were documented by vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive punctate staining in these structures. Additional novel localizations of putative cholinergic terminals to the subependymal zone surrounding the lateral ventricles, and putative cholinergic cell bodies in the sensory mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, a primary sensory afferent ganglion located in the brainstem, are documented here. The cholinergic phenotype of neurons of the sensory mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus was confirmed by choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry. A feature of cholinergic neurons of the central nervous system revealed clearly with vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded sections is the termination of cholinergic neurons on cholinergic cell bodies. These are most prominent on motor neurons of the spinal cord, less prominent but present in some brainstem motor nuclei, and apparently absent from projection neurons of the telencephalon and brainstem, as well as from the preganglionic vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons visualized in the intermediolateral and intermediomedial columns of the spinal cord. In addition to the large puncta decorating motor neuronal perikarya and dendrites in the ventral horn, vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive terminal fields are distributed in lamina X surrounding the central canal, where additional small vesicular acetylcholine transporter-positive cell bodies are located, and in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. Components of the central cholinergic nervous system whose existence has been controversial have been confirmed, and the existence of new components documented, with immunohistochemistry for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. Quantitative visualization of terminal fields of known cholinergic systems by staining for vesicular acetylcholine transporter will expand the possibilities for documenting changes in synaptic patency accompanying physiological and pathophysiological changes in these systems.

Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT): a cellular marker in rat retinal development

A polyclonal goat antiserum against the C-terminal end of the rat vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) was used to examine the postnatal expression of this protein in the rat retina. The transporter protein was localized in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive, cholinergic interneurones (so-called starburst amacrine cells) in the inner retina. During postnatal development the VAChT was expressed from postnatal day 1 onward by the two subsets of these cholinergic amacrine cells. The immunocytochemical detection of the VAChT provides a specific marker for the study of developing cholinergic neurones in the rat retina, which so far has only been monitored by ChAT immunoreactivity in the second postnatal week.

Butyrylcholinesterase-positive cells of the developing chicken retina that are non-cholinergic and GABA-positive

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is closely related to acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but its function in nervous system development or physiology is unclear. Here, the distribution of BChE was investigated by immunohistochemical methods in the developing chick retina. Using a specific anti-BChE antibody, we detected immunoreactivity associated with different cell types in two nuclear layers and in plexiform layers of the retina. At embryonic day 10 (E10), a transient BChE staining is detected in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and in radial cells, the latter possibly representing Müller glia. At E12, a subpopulation of amacrine cells appeared, followed by cells in the middle and outer half of the inner nuclear layer. These cells at locations of amacrine, bipolar and horizontal cells represented the predominant three cell types persisting until hatching. The BChE+ amacrine cells were studied in more detail. Their distribution was not significantly different in the central and peripheral retina. Double labelling experiments revealed that BChE+ amacrine cells did not express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and, thus, are non-cholinergic. Only a minority of them coexpressed AChE. On the other hand, the majority of them colocalized with anti-GABA immunoreactivity. Taken together, these data support a hitherto unsuspected role of BChE in non-cholinergic cells, possibly in conjunction with GABA.

Localization of the CD15 carbohydrate epitope in the vertebrate retina

The distribution of the carbohydrate epitope CD15, a putative cell adhesion molecule, was studied in adult vertebrate retinas by light-microscopic immunohistochemistry. Except for Old World primates, in which no immunoreactivity was detectable, all other species expressed the epitope on retinal interneurones. Subpopulations of stratified amacrine cells were found in all species with the exception of bats and marmoset monkeys, and bipolar cells were immunoreactive in frogs and all amniotic animals. Ganglion cells were labelled in urodelian, in all sauromorphian, as well as in some mammalian species. In some species, the distribution of immunoreactive neurones was correlated to areas of retinal specialization such as the visual streak in frogs and the dorsotemporal field in birds. In these parts of the retina with enhanced visual acuity, more CD15 glycosylated bipolar cells were found than in other parts. Among mammals, labelled bipolar cells were found exclusively in species with cone-dominated retinas. This comparative study shows that CD15 expression is consistently membrane associated in morphologically defined subsets of amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells throughout the vertebrate phylum. Its distribution pattern was found to depend more on the visual behavior of a given species (cone-dominated or rod-dominated retina) than on phylogenetic proximity between species.

Lactoseries carbohydrate epitopes in the vertebrate retina

The distribution of N-acetyl-lactosamine (NALA), a cell-surface carbohydrate epitope of the lactoseries, has been studied in the retina of representative species of all vertebrate classes by light microscope immunohistochemistry. In only some species of different classes (fish, amphibia and mammals) was NALA expression detected, and in these animals the distribution showed profound interspecies variability. In fishes and amphibia in which NALA was present, patterns ranged from single immunopositive cells to homogeneous labelling of cell layers. In mammals, NALA was found only in retinas that are cone dominated (tree squirrel and primates). In the tree squirrel, there was a dense cellular staining of the photoreceptor cell layer; whereas in primates, the carbohydrate epitope occurred only on some photoreceptor cells. From these receptor cells, positive axons could be traced to the inner plexiform layer. In spite of the profound interspecies differences, NALA is not randomly expressed, as its exclusive expression in mammals with cone-dominated vision indicates. The suggestion of a functional relevance for NALA glycosylation of retinal cells is supported by the labelling pattern for HNK-1 in these species, which was different from the pattern found in rod-dominated mammalian retinas.

Cholinergic modulation of dopamine release and horizontal cell coupling in mudpuppy retina

The effects of cholinergic agonists and antagonists on electrical coupling between horizontal cells were studied in dark-adapted mudpuppy retinas. Carbachol and the nicotinic agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP) uncoupled horizontal cells, but the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine did not. The uncoupling effects of carbachol and DMPP were blocked by the nicotinic antagonist D-tubocurarine and by the dopamine antagonist fluphenazine, indicating that carbachol uncoupled horizontal cells by stimulating dopamine release via nicotinic receptors. Carbachol also caused an increase in release of [3H]dopamine from retinas. D-Tubocurarine increased horizontal cell coupling, indicating that tonic cholinergic input was present in dark-adapted retinas. D-Tubocurarine did not reduce light-evoked uncoupling of horizontal cells, suggesting that cholinergic neurons are not an essential part of the direct pathway by which light causes an immediate increase in dopamine release.

Kinetics for camel (Camelus dromedarius) retina acetylcholinesterase inhibition by methotrexate in vitro

This work addresses the kinetic analysis of the interaction of methotrexate (MTX) with camel retina acetylcholinesterase (A ChE, EC 3.1.1.7). It was found that the MTX effect was reversible in nature. The IC50 was determined, by two methods, to be 1.362 mM. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Ks) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide (ASCh) by AChE was 0.123 mM in the control system, and the MTX-treated systems showed a 10-35% decrease in this value. The Vmax was 0.789 mumol/min/mg protein for the control system, while it was decreased by 23-76% in the MTX-treated systems. The Lineweaver-Burk plot, Dixon plot and their secondary replots indicated that the inhibition was a linear mixed type; i.e., uncompetitive and noncompetitive. The values of Ki and KI were estimated as 0.782 and 0.404 mM, respectively. The use of camel retina as a model for the study of human retina may open new avenues for studying various aspects of AChE.

The nature of the inhibition of camel retina acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) activity by tetrahydroaminoacridine

The nature of the inhibition of camel retina acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by tetrahydro-aminoacridine (THA, tacrine) has been investigated in the present study. The non-significant change of the percent inhibition of AChE by THA with respect to various lengths of the preincubation period showed the type of the reversible inhibition. THA reversibly inhibited AChE activity in a concentration dependent manner; IC50 was 0.23 microM while the IC100 was 14.22 microM. The K(m) for the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine iodide was found to be 62.6 microM in the control system; a value increased in the THA treated systems. The Vmax was 0.472 mumole/min/mg protein for the control system, while it decreased in the THA treated systems. Dixon, as well as Lineweaver-Burk, plots and their secondary replots indicated that the nature of the inhibition is of the linear mixed type, which is considered to be a partial competitive and pure non-competitive mixture. The values of Ki(slope) and K'i(intercept) were estimated as 0.068 microM and 0.181 microM, respectively. The K'i was greater than Ki indicating that THA has a greater affinity of binding for the peripheral site than the active site of the camel retina AChE. The use of camel retina as a good experimental animal model may open new avenues for studying acetylcholine and AChE metabolism.

Acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase activities in the rat retina and retinal pigment epithelium

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of adult rats were determined. The tissues were extracted with a saline buffer to release the soluble enzymes (S1) and the pellet re-extracted with Triton X-100 to detach the membrane-bound enzymes (S2). Less than 5% of the cholinesterase activity measured in retina and almost 30% of that assayed in RPE was due to BChE. About 20% and 10% of the AChE in retina and RPE was brought into solution with a saline buffer and the rest with a detergent-containing buffer. Main AChE molecular forms of 10.5S (hydrophilic G4H), 9.5S (amphiphilic G4A) and 3.0S (amphiphilic G1A) were identified in retina by subjecting the supernatant S1 to sedimentation analysis in sucrose gradients made with Brij 96. Amphiphilic G4 and G1 AChE were found in S2. Analysis of the soluble fractions obtained from RPE in the gradients made with Brij 96 revealed 16.0S (asymmetric A12), 10.5-10.0S (globular G4H + G4A), 4.5S (G2A), and 3.0S (G1A) AChE forms in S1, whereas G4A, G2A, and G1A enzyme molecules predominated in S2. Our results show that amphiphilic tetramers and monomers of AChE are abundant in neural retina, and enzyme tetramers, dimers, and monomers in RPE. The AChE in the neural retina might be involved in cholinergic actions. The enzyme function in the retinal pigment epithelium remains to be established.

Acetylcholinesterase in the developing ferret retina

The function of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is to terminate the action of acetylcholine at the cholinergic synapse. Recent evidence suggests additional roles for acetylcholinesterase as a peptidase and/or a protease which is expressed by growing neurites as part of their invasion of developing neural structures. We report the localization of acetylcholinesterase in developing ferret retina. AChE histochemical staining is seen in the developing inner plexiform layer (IPL) of ferret retina at birth (post-natal day zero, PO), the earliest developmental stage examined. Transient expression is seen at the border between the ganglion cell layer and the nerve fiber layer at P14 and P21. A small amount of transient expression is seen in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) at this age as well. By P28, the transient expression in the OPL is at its peak, and is found at photoreceptor terminals and associated with apparent horizontal cell axons. Labeling is also seen intracellularly in the inner nuclear layer (INL), at the OPL/INL border, suggesting that horizontal cells are the source of the transient AChE expression in the OPL. Overt synaptic profiles also appear in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) at P21 and P28. About 2 days layer, the eyes open and the photoreceptor outer segments are fully developed. By 2 weeks later, at P42, the AChE staining pattern in the retina has taken on its adult appearance: no reaction product in the outer retina; intracellular reaction product in the Golgi apparatus of a subset of amacrine and displaced amacrine cells which manufacture AChE; and extracellular reaction product at both synaptic and non-synaptic sites in the IPL. These data are consistent with a role for AChE as a peptidase early in development, and as an enzyme essential in the termination of synaptic action at mature synapses.

Development of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the ferret retina

The development of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor protein in the ferret retina was studied using biochemical, autoradiographic, and light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical techniques. The development of retinal muscarinic cholinergic receptor proteins involves transient shifts in their number and distribution, as well as changes in the relative abundance of two molecular weight variants. Receptor binding assays demonstrate changes in the number and affinity of retinal binding sites for the muscarinic cholinergic ligand [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB). Light microscopic immunohistochemical studies reveal the presence of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-like (mAChR-like) immunoreactivity in the adult inner plexiform layer. During development, the mAChR-like immunoreactivity appears in a number of other retinal layers. Electron microscopic immunohistochemical studies indicate that muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-like immunoreactivity is found at amacrine-amacrine cell contacts. Both autoradiographic and gel slice electrophoretic studies were carried out after labeling of developing and adult retinal muscarinic receptors with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PrBCM), which irreversibly labels the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing, denaturing conditions resolved two peaks of radioactivity corresponding to [3H]PrBCM-labeled protein; both were eliminated by pre- and co-incubation of labeled adult retinas with excess atropine. Combined with the results of earlier studies, these observations suggest that the subtypes, number and distribution of muscarinic receptor proteins changes during retinal synaptogenesis.

Ocular effects of organophosphates: a historical perspective of Saku disease

Many publications, primarily of work performed in Japan, report findings in human populations of an increased incidence of myopia and of a more advanced visual disease syndrome (Saku disease), which reportedly correlated with increasing use of organophosphate pesticides in agriculture. Follow-up studies in animals performed in Japan using such agents as ethylthiometon, fenthion and fenitrothion demonstrate adverse effects of organophosphates on the visual system. The several ocular effects in question are dose dependent, ranging in severity from lenticular and electro-retinographic changes to the seemingly more serious histophysiological changes in such tissues as the ciliary body and retina. An important question arising from this work is that of the role of cholinesterase inhibition in the etiology of the effects. Studies currently in progress on particular organophosphates being conducted at EPA's research facility and by certain registrants of pesticides, which are in various stages of completion, appear to be substantiating much that has been reported in Japan. While animal studies clearly show that some organophosphates elicit ocular toxicity, there are many knowledge gaps with regard to effects in humans and the ocular toxicity in general, e.g. time and dose dependency, cholinesterase inhibition vs ocular effects and effects of routes of exposure. Consequently, the office is unable at this time to incorporate hazard assessment data with exposure assessment data or to perform risk assessments on organophosphates based on the ocular toxicity potential of this class of chemicals.

Effects of organophosphates on the visual system of rats

The possibility that exposure to organophosphate insecticides can lead to ocular damage is suggested by Japanese studies from the 1960s and 1970s indicating that exposed humans developed chronic ocular degeneration, in addition to showing more commonly accepted effects of cholinesterase-inhibiting compounds. Other papers reported ocular lesions in laboratory animals treated with organophosphates. More recently, retinal degeneration following chronic organophosphate treatment has been reported to the Environmental Protection Agency by pesticide manufacturers in studies conducted in compliance with good laboratory practice regulations. Several factors, however, have prompted scepticism regarding organophosphate-induced ocular toxicity, including the widespread use of organophosphate compounds for both agricultural and ophthalmological practices without numerous additional reports of comparable ocular toxicity. We are developing a research program to address these issues involving electrophysiological, biochemical and histological investigations of rats treated with organophosphate insecticides. The research program is young, but early results are available. Notably, retinas from rats treated with a single subcutaneous injection of 100 mg kg-1 fenthion showed decreases in carbachol-stimulated release of inositol phosphate, an indicator of cholinergically-mediated intracellular second messenger systems. These effects persisted at least 56 days after fenthion administration. This could indicate several different toxicological actions, which are currently under investigation. It is concluded that the possible association between exposure to organophosphates and ocular toxicity cannot be dismissed, and that several important research issues need to be resolved.

Assessment of ocular toxicity in dogs during 6 months' exposure to a potent organophosphate

Exposure to anticholinesterase pesticides has been associated with the development of ocular toxicity in humans and animals, ranging from blurred vision to degeneration of the optic nerve. Based on the concern for human safety, the US Environmental Protection Agency has recently required additional studies for this class of compounds, focusing on biochemical, functional and histopathological evaluation of the ocular system. This study was designed to determine the effects on the eye of ethyl parathion, a highly toxic organophosphate, when administered orally to 30 beagle dogs (five of each sex per group) at doses of 2.4, 7.9 or 794 micrograms kg-1day-1 for 6 months. Control animals received corn oil. Routine ophthalmoscopic and slit lamp examinations, refraction and intraocular pressure determinations and electroretinograms were performed as functional assessments at various intervals over the study. Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase were determined at weeks 1, 6, 14, 20 and 26, while brain, retinal and ocular muscle cholinesterase were measured at week 26 only. Histopathological examination of the retina, optic nerve, ocular muscle and ciliary body was conducted at termination. Plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase was markedly depressed at 7.9 and 794 micrograms kg-1day-1 as early as week 1. Retinal cholinesterase was decreased (37-55%) from control values in the 794 micrograms kg-1day-1 group only. Ocular muscle cholinesterase was comparable in treated and control groups at termination. No functional impairment of the eye was noted over the 6-month study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase localization patterns do correspond in cat and rat retinas

Is acetylcholinesterase (AChE) a reliable marker for cholinergic activity in the cat and rat retinas? To evaluate this question, radial sections, labeled for AChE, have been compared to sections labeled for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Within the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of each species, two lightly-stained AChE bands are revealed which correspond to the depths of ChAT immunoreactivity. Although retinal AChE is not limited exclusively to sites where ChAT is present, AChE and ChAT activity do occur in the same IPL sublaminae. Used with proper caution, AChE is a reliable secondary indicator of cholinergic activity.

Component-specific effects of physostigmine on the cat visual evoked potential

Pattern visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from the pial surface of the cat primary visual cortex prior to and following the intravenous administration of physostigmine, an agent which blocks the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of synaptically released acetylcholine. The control VEP was composed of a small initial positive deflection (P1), a subsequent large negative wave (N1) and a second large positive wave (P2). Following physostigmine, the amplitude of P1-N1 was diminished whereas that of N1-P2 increased. These effects were long lasting and were blocked by prior treatment with scopolamine, a result consistent with mediation by a muscarinic cholinergic pathway. Waveform subtraction revealed that the physostigmine-sensitive component had a slow, negative polarity waveform while the physostigmine-insensitive component was also slow, but positive in polarity. The fundamental nature of these components remains to be assessed. Nevertheless, the results indicate that waveforms of different polarity combine algebraically to yield the conventional VEP.

Spatial frequency response functions obtained from cat visual evoked potentials

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were obtained from the surface of the cat visual cortex in response to contrast reversing sinusoidal gratings. Gratings of different spatial frequency were presented either separately, using signal averaging to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, or as a spatial frequency sweep, in which spatial frequency was sequentially increased every 5 sec during a 40 sec trial (3.99 Hz) or every 3 sec during a 24 sec trial (6.65 Hz). The second harmonic amplitude- and phase-spatial frequency functions derived from averaging or from sweep trials were similar, indicating that the swept stimulus method can be used to provide a rapid and reliable measure of the VEP-spatial frequency function. Intravenous administration of physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, evoked a spatial frequency-dependent change in VEP amplitude. At 3.99 Hz, responses to low spatial frequencies were enhanced to a greater extent than were responses to high spatial frequency stimuli. At 6.65 Hz, responses to mid-range spatial frequencies were enhanced to a greater extent than were responses to low and high spatial frequency stimuli. VEP phase at both 3.99 and 6.65 Hz was advanced to a greater degree at the higher spatial frequencies. These results indicate that the swept spatial frequency method may be useful in studying spatial frequency-dependent pharmacological effects on the VEP and support the possibility that pharmacological disruption of the cholinergic visual system can produce such changes.

Induction of c-fos immunostaining in the rat brain after the systemic administration of nicotine

To search for evidence of altered neuronal gene expression in response to exposure to the highly addictive drug nicotine, rat brains were examined by immunocytochemistry for the fos protein after the systemic administration of nicotine. The drug was administered as an IV infusion over 1 h At a dose of 2 mg/kg, the most dramatic nicotine-induced fos nuclear immunostaining was seen in central visual pathways, including the superficial superior colliculus and the medial terminal nu. of the accessory optic tract, in the interpeduncular nu. Notably, many regions with high levels of nicotine binding sites, including the medial habenula, thalamus, substantia nigra, and ventral tegmental area, failed to express the c-fos gene with this schedule of nicotine administration. A minimal increase in fos immunostaining was seen after a nicotine dose of 0.5 mg/kg, with a much greater response after 1 or 2 mg/kg. The response was seen as soon as 60 min after the beginning of the infusion, was maximal at 2-3 h, and declined thereafter. c-fos expression was substantially attenuated in the superficial gray layer of superior colliculus, medial terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract, and the interpeduncular nucleus by pretreatment with the centrally acting nicotine antagonist mecamylamine, 5 mg/kg IP, but not with the peripherally acting antagonist hexamethonium, 4 mg/kg IP. These observations identify a subset of central nervous system neurons that respond to nicotine with altered expression of the immediate early gene c-fos. These neurons presumably undergo long-term changes in gene expression as a result of acute exposure to high doses of nicotine.

Choline acetyltransferase expression studied with an oligonucleotide probe

1. The localization of choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA has been studied using a digoxigenin-tailed complementary oligodeoxynucleotide probe for in situ hybridization. 2. Putative cholinergic cells of the rat and ferret spinal cord and the ferret retina were labeled. 3. This technique affords superior resolution compared to radioactively labeled probes, with apparently equal sensitivity.

Spatial density and distribution of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in human, macaque, and baboon retinas

Whole-mounted human, macaque, and baboon retinas were labelled with an antiserum to human choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), by the immunoperoxidase technique. Previous work in nonprimate species has shown that these cells correspond to the starburst amacrine cells. Labelled somata were disposed on either side of the inner plexiform layer, and their processes formed two narrow zones within it. In human retinas, the ratio of labelled somata in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) to those in the inner nuclear layer (nominal Sb/Sa ratio) was about 60/40 at all locations, similar to that found in nonprimate mammalian species. The density of labelled cells in the human GCL ranged from 1,000 to 1,150 mm-2 near the fovea to 300 to 400 mm-2 in the periphery. Labelling tended to be more erratic in macaque retinas. Nevertheless the Sb/Sa ratio was as high as 70/30 and spatial densities were similar to those of humans. The overlap factor in macaque retinas outside the nasal quadrant was about 10 at all retinal eccentricities, based upon dendritic-field sizes from a Golgi study. About each labelled soma there was a region 20 to 120 microns in diameter in which the probability of the occurrence of other labelled somata was lower than elsewhere. No such nonrandomness was found between labeled cells in the GCL and those in the amacrine cell layer. The packing factor was about 0.3 in well-labelled regions, independent of retinal position or spatial density. Published data on ChAT-labelled cells in rabbit and rat show a similar value. This invariance is consistent with the hypothesis that this nonrandomness is a residual consequence of somal contiguity at an early developmental stage.

Cholinergic and GABAergic neurons occur in both the distal and proximal turtle retina

Turtle retinas were processed immunocytochemically and histochemically to detect the presence of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). We observed cholinergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the proximal retina, as expected, and in the distal retina as well. ChAT immunoreactivity in the distal retina was observed within the axons and pedicles of numerous cone photoreceptors, suggesting that a population of turtle cone photoreceptors uses ACh as a neurotransmitter. Type L2 horizontal cells were immunoreactive for GAD, and their dendrites invaginated into cone pedicles. AChE histochemistry revealed processes within the outer plexiform layer which formed a loosely organized lattice. In the proximal retina, labeling for ChAT and GAD was similar to that reported by previous investigators. Processes from ChAT-labeled amacrine cells in the inner nuclear layer formed a stratum within the distal inner plexiform layer (IPL) (at 16-21% relative IPL depth), and processes from ChAT-labeled amacrines in the ganglion cell layer formed a proximal ChAT stratum (at 55-58% relative IPL depth). In addition, six AChE-labeled bands and five GAD-labeled bands were observed within the IPL of stained retinas. Therefore, we determined that the two broadest AChE-labeled bands and the two broadest GAD-labeled bands overlapped the two labeled ChAT strata. The evidence for cholinergic and GABAergic processes in both the inner plexiform layer and the outer plexiform layer, combined with electrophysiological evidence from other investigators, raises the possibility that distal retinal neurons may be involved in the encoding of directional information.

Characterization of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities in retinal chick pigment epithelium during development

The presence of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase was studied in chick retinal pigment epithelium. Acetylcholinesterase activity was 13 times higher than that of butyrylcholinesterase. The former showed a Km of 290 microM and a vmax of 45.4 nmol mg-1 protein min-1, while the latter showed two apparent Km values (132 microM and 666 microM). Studies on subcellular distribution revealed that both enzymes are associated with membranes. During the embryonic development butyrylcholinesterase activity decreased, while acetylcholinesterase activity increased. The possibility that these changes are related to the proliferation and differentiation processes is discussed.

Distributions of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities in the retinal layers of the red-tailed hawk and road runner

The activities of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase were assayed in submicrogram samples from layers of red-tailed hawk and road runner retina. Both enzyme activities were concentrated in and near the inner plexiform layer. Within the inner plexiform layers of both species, activities of each enzyme were concentrated in two bands, one in each half of this layer. Little choline acetyltransferase activity was found superficial to the middle third of the inner nuclear layer. The distributions of acetylcholinesterase activities corresponded well to those of choline acetyltransferase, except in the outer plexiform layer and the outer margin of the inner nuclear layer of the hawk. These distributions of enzyme activities indicate that populations of amacrine cells in the retinae of these species are cholinergic. In addition to these same cells and presumably cholinoceptive amacrine and ganglion cells, acetylcholinesterase activity in the hawk was associated with a population of horizontal cells that may be unrelated to synaptic cholinergic neurotransmission. Choline acetyltransferase activities associated with amacrine somata and processes were about four times greater in the hawk than in the road runner, suggesting important differences in the density and function of cholinergic elements between species. Possible synaptic relationships in the inner plexiform layer consistent with the interspecies differences in enzyme activities are considered.