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Synapsin I expression in the rat retina during postnatal development

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Summary

The expression of the synapsin I gene was studied during postnatal development of the rat retina at the mRNA and protein levels. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that synapsin I mRNA was expressed already in nerve cells in the ganglion cell layer of the neonatal retina, while it appeared in neurons of the inner nuclear layer from postnatal day 4 onward. Maximal expression of synapsin I mRNA was observed at P12 in ganglion cells and in neurons of the inner nuclear layer followed by moderate expression in the adult. At the protein level a shift of synapsin I appearance was observed from cytoplasmic to terminal localization during retinal development by immunohistochemistry. In early stages (P4 and P8), synapsin I was seen in neurons of the ganglion cell layer and in neurons of the developing inner nuclear layer as well as in the developing inner plexiform layer. In the developing outer plexiform layer synapsin I was localized only in horizontal cells and in their processes. Its early appearance at P4 indicated the early maturation of this cell type. A shift and strong increase of labelling to the plexiform layers at P12 indicated the localization of synapsin I in synaptic terminals. The inner plexiform layer exhibited a characteristic stratified pattern. Photoreceptor cells never exhibited synapsin I mRNA or synapsin I protein throughout development.

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Abbreviations

GCL:

ganglion cell layer

INB:

inner neuroblast layer

INL:

inner nuclear layer

IPL:

inner plexiform layer

ONB:

outer neuroblast layer

ONL:

outer nuclear layer

OPL:

outer plexiform layer

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuromorphology, Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, Am Klopferspitz 18A, D-8033, Martinsried, Federal Republic of Germany

    C. A. Haas, M. Müller & H. Holländer

  2. Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts, 55, Avenue North, 01605, Worcester, MA, USA

    L. J. DeGennaro

Authors
  1. C. A. Haas
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  2. L. J. DeGennaro
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  3. M. Müller
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  4. H. Holländer
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Haas, C.A., DeGennaro, L.J., Müller, M. et al. Synapsin I expression in the rat retina during postnatal development. Exp Brain Res 82, 25–32 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230834

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230834

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