Electron microscopic observation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-containing neurons in the rat retina

The distribution and localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the rat retina were studied by immunocytochemistry with both light and electron microscopy. PACAP-like immunoreactivity (PACAP-LI) was detected in the amacrine and horizontal cells as well as in the in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Peptides (New York, N.Y. : 1980) N.Y. : 1980), 2000, Vol.21 (1), p.109-113
Main Authors: Seki, Tamotsu, Shioda, Seiji, Izumi, Sachiko, Arimura, Akira, Koide, Ryohei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amacrine cell
Animals
Cell Membrane - metabolism
Cell Membrane - ultrastructure
Cytoplasm - metabolism
Cytoplasm - ultrastructure
Electron microscopy
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough - metabolism
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough - ultrastructure
Horizontal cell
Immunocytochemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Microscopy, Immunoelectron
Neurons, Afferent - metabolism
Neurons, Afferent - ultrastructure
Neuropeptides - metabolism
Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide
Rat
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Retina
Retina - metabolism
Retina - ultrastructure
Retinal Ganglion Cells - metabolism
Retinal Ganglion Cells - ultrastructure
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Summary:The distribution and localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the rat retina were studied by immunocytochemistry with both light and electron microscopy. PACAP-like immunoreactivity (PACAP-LI) was detected in the amacrine and horizontal cells as well as in the inner plexiform layer, the ganglion cell layer and the nerve fiber layer. PACAP-LI seemed to be concentrated predominantly in the neuronal perikarya and their processes, but not in other cells in the retina. At the ultrastructural level, PACAP-LI was visible in the plasma membranes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and cytoplasmic matrix in the PACAP-positive neurons in the inner nuclear layer. In the inner plexiform layer, PACAP-positive amacrine cell processes made synaptic contact with immunonegative amacrine cell processes, bipolar cell processes, and ganglion cell terminals. These findings suggest that PACAP may function as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator.
ISSN:0196-9781
1873-5169
DOI:10.1016/S0196-9781(99)00180-1