Comparison of retinal pigment epithelium cell preparations from the bovine eye

Summary Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were collected from, bovine eyes using a new method. The cells were harvested by vortexing the RPE and underlying choroid in 0.05 M citrate phosphate buffer, pH 5. RPE cells recovered by this method were compared to a standard method by microscopic examination of cell integrity, estimation of total protein, and assay of 11-cis and all-trans retinyl ester hydrolase (REH) activities. Results suggest that this method collects RPE cells of good integrity and with a significantly higher protein yield than the conventional method. Additionally, a much higher retinyl ester hydrolase activity was noted. Therefore we propose that this procedure offers a new and convenient method in the collection of RPE proteins for certain purposes such as enzyme purification.     

Comparison of retinal pigment epithelium cell preparations from the bovine eye

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were collected from bovine eyes using a new method. The cells were harvested by vortexing the RPE and underlying choroid in 0.05 M citrate phosphate buffer, pH 5. RPE cells recovered by this method were compared to a standard method by microscopic examination of cell integrity, estimation of total protein, and assay of 11-cis and all-trans retinyl ester hydrolase (REH) activities. Results suggest that this method collects RPE cells of good integrity and with a significantly higher protein yield than the conventional method. Additionally, a much higher retinyl ester hydrolase activity was noted. Therefore we propose that this procedure offers a new and convenient method in the collection of RPE proteins for certain purposes such as enzyme purification.     

A survey of 3-dehydroretinal as a visual pigment chromophore in various species of crayfish and other freshwater crustaceans

Summary 3-Dehydroretinal (vitamin A₂ aldehyde) was found in the eyes of three species among 10 species of freshwater crayfish examined. Since dark-adapted eyes contained the 11-cis form of 3-dehydroretinal, this compound must be the chromophore of the visual pigment. 3-Dehydroretinal always coexisted with retinal (vitamin A₁ aldehyde), indicating the presence of a rhodopsin-porphyropsin visual pigment system.     

Vestibular influences on vegetative functions during the rapid eye movement periods of desynchronized sleep

Riassunto Le modificazioni fasiche del diametro pupillare e della frequenza cardiaca sincrone coi REM caratteristici del sonno desincronizzato scompaiono dopo distruzione bilaterale dei nuclei vestibolari mediale e discendente.

---

---

This investigation was supported by PHS research grant NB-02990-04 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, NIH, Public Health Service, USA.     

Negative phototaxis inDrosophila associated with a morphological change in the compound eye

Summary The ultrastructure of the compound eyes of several photonegative selection lines and their unselected photopositive controls of five species of themelanogaster subgroup was analyzed. A qualitative phenotypic change concerning the rhabdomeres in one of the photonegative selection lines ofD. mauritiana could be detected. It was proved that this structural aberration of the rhabdomeres is caused by a parallel mutation of the mutantora (outer rhabdomeres absent) ofD. melanogaster.     

The role of crustecdysone in the moulting crayfish

Résumé La crustecdysone injectée dans l'écrevisse,Procambarus sinulans ne cause pas la mue chez l'animal intact mais l'accélère après ablation des pédoncules oculaires.     

Alterations of free amino acids concentrations in cat brain induced by rapid eye movement sleep deprivation

Résumé La concentration de certains acides aminés libres au niveau du cerveau chez le chat change sous l'influence de la privation élective du sommeil paradoxal. Ces changements pourraient s'expliquer par l'augmentation d'excitabilité nerveuse associée à la privation élective du sommeil paradoxal.     

Neuronal degeneration in the striatum of the groggy rat: a new mutant with a movement disorder.

A new mutation displaying abnormal movement was obtained in the progeny of a female Wistar rat which had been given 10 mg/kg methylnitrosourea at an early stage of the gestational period. Genetic studies revealed that the character is inherited by an autosomal single recessive gene, and we designated this mutation groggy (gene symbol gr). The abnormal movement of the groggy rat was first apparent around postnatal day 15, while the histological studies revealed the appearance of numerous necrotic neurons in the striatum of the groggy rat on postnatal days 60 and 120.     

Stretch receptors in the eye muscles of a teleost fish

Summary Extraocular muscles of a teleost fish,Girella tricuspidata, contain a predominantly phasic stretch receptor, which consists of fine beaded nerve terminals within the red portion of the muscle.The authors are grateful to Mr V. Straznik for supplying the fish, and to Mrs M. Fisher for histological assistance. Financial support for this work was received from the New Zealand Medical Research Council and the Auckland University Research Committee and University Grants Committee.     

Neuronal degeneration in the striatum of the groggy rat: A new mutant with a movement disorder

A new mutation displaying abnormal movement was obtained in the progeny of a female Wistar rat which had been given 10 mg/kg methylnitrosourea at an early stage of the gestational period. Genetic studies revealed that the character is inherited by an autosomal single recessive gene, and we designated this mutationgroggy (gene symbolgr). The abnormal movement of the groggy rat was first apparent around postnatal day 15, while the histological studies revealed the appearance of numerous necrotic neurons in the striatum of the groggy rat on postnatal days 60 and 120.     

Visual pigment regeneration: occurrence in frog retina upside down upon the pigment epithelium

Visual pigment regeneration in the frog requires apposition between the retina and retinal pigment epithelium. However, regeneration occurs nearly as well with the retina upside down (i.e. with the inner limiting membrane facing the pigment epithelium) as right side up.