Peripheral inhibition in sustained and transient on-center ganglion cells in cat retina

Zusammenfassung Die Resultate deuten darauf hin, dass nicht, wie bisher vermutet wurde, die Stützzellen schwach auf Diffuslicht reagieren, sondern dass unter bestimmten Umständen die Inhibition stärker bzw. schwächer sein kann.

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This research was supported by Public Health Research Grant Nos. EY00376 and EY00701.     

Metabolic and redox signaling in the retina

Visual perception by photoreceptors relies on the interaction of incident photons from light with a derivative of vitamin A that is covalently linked to an opsin molecule located in a special subcellular structure, the photoreceptor outer segment. The photochemical reaction produced by the photon is optimal when the opsin molecule, a seven-transmembrane protein, is embedded in a lipid bilayer of optimal fluidity. This is achieved in vertebrate photoreceptors by a high proportion of lipids made with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have the detrimental property of being oxidized and damaged by light. Photoreceptors cannot divide, but regenerate their outer segments. This is an enormous energetic challenge that explains why photoreceptors metabolize glucose through aerobic glycolysis, as cancer cells do. Uptaken glucose produces metabolites to renew that outer segment as well as reducing power through the pentose phosphate pathway to protect photoreceptors against oxidative damage.     

Lipoperoxide formation in the retina in ocular siderosis

Summary Insertion of iron nail into the vitreous cavity provoked the formation of lipoperoxide in the retina. In accord with the increase in lipoperoxide in the retina, ERG began to decrease. In vitro experiment using isolated retina, lipoperoxide was found to be increased in the presence of ferric or ferrous ions, while it was inhibited by adding antioxidants or ethylenediamine tetraacetate. From these results, direct cause of retinal degeneration in siderosis could be ascribed to the formation of lipoperoxide by iron-ions liberated from the piece of iron, resulting into the degeneration of the visual cell layers of the retina.     

Short axon ganglion cells in the chick retina

Using Golgi's staining technique, we investigated some ganglion cells whose axons do not project out of the retina area. These axons, after following a short trajectory through the optic nerve fiber layer or through the 5th stratum of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), change their direction and end in the inner stratum of the IPL.     

Short axon ganglion cells in the chick retina

Summary Using Golgi's staining technique, we investigated some ganglion cells whose axons do not project out of the retina area. These axons, after following a short trajectory through the optic nerve fiber layer or through the 5th stratum of the inner plexiform layer (IPL), change their direction and end in the inner stratum of the IPL.     

The possibility of centrifugal to the retina in the rat

Summary In rats, glutamic acid decarboxylase activity increased in the proximal portion of the optic nerve after its ligation, whereas the activities of choline acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase remained constant. Possible centrifugal neurons to the retina are GABAergic.     

Adrenaline depletion induced by light in the dark-adapted retina

Resumen Una depleción inmediata de la adrenalina retiniana ocurre cuando sapos adaptados a la oscuridad son expuestos a una luz relativamente fuerte, alcanzándose un máximo en aproximadamente 5 min. La repleción de la adrenalina es más rápida cuando los animales, después de ser expuestos por 5 min a la luz, son devueltos a la oscuridad. En un período de 24 h la adrenalina alcanzó aproximadamente 85% de su valor original. Por otra parte, cuando los animales se mantienen expuestos a la luz, la repleción es más lenta y la adrenalina retiniana alcanza un máximo de sólamente 65% de su valor original en adaptación a la oscuridad.     

A visual pigment of the sturgeon retina

The visual pigments of hybrid sturgeon (a cross between Acipenser ruthenus (male) and Huso huso (female) have been studied both by the methods of incomplete partial bleaching and HPLC analysis. On the basis of the results obtained the relationship between the structure of opsins and the spectral characteristics of visual pigments is discussed.     

Protein renewall in the photoreceptor outer segments of the pigeon retina

Résumé Les segments externes des bâtonnets de la rétine du pigeon sont totalement renouvelés en 3–4 jours. La distinction fondamentale entre les méchanismes de renouvellement des protéines discales des bâtonnets et des cônes a éte retrouvée dans cette espèce.

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Supported by Grant No. 3287-67 from the Swiss National Found for Scientific Research.

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We thank ProfessorP. G. Waser for support and MissM. Hofmann and Mrs.E. Hofmann for technical assistance.     

ATPase in the normal and dystrophic developing retina of the rat

Riassunto Viene descritto un aumento significativo dell'attività specifica dell'ATPasi (attività/mg proteine) durante lo sviluppo post-natale della retina in ratti normali ed in ratti con retinite pigmentosa ereditaria. Il rapporto tra attività ATPasica in presenza di Mg⁺⁺-Na⁺-K⁺ ed attività ATPasica in presenza di Mg⁺⁺ non varia nella retina normale, mentre esso va incontro ad un precoce declino durante lo sviluppo della retina distrofica. Il significato di questi dati è discusso molto brevemente.     

The possibility of centrifugal projections to the retina in the rat

In rats, glutamic acid decarboxylase activity increased in the proximal portion of the optic nerve after its ligation, whereas the activities of choline acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase remained constant. Possible centrifugal neurons to the retina are GABAergic.     

Telodendrial contacts between foveolar cone pedicles in the human retina

The synaptic pedicles of foveolar cones in the human retina contact each other by means of telodendrial processes. Thus direct lateral coupling of photoreceptor terminals exists even in the area of highest acuity function.