• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.391-396
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the visual system of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) by location analysis of some major neurotransmitters glutamate, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine, and their receptors, and $m{\ddot{u}}ller$ glial cells in retina. Methods: Standard immunocytochemical techniques were used after vibratome section of retinal tissues of adult greater horseshoe bat for this study. Immnoreactions in immunofluorescence images were analyzed using confocal microscope. Results: Anti-glutamate-immunoreactive neurons were mainly localized in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The majority of anti-GABA-immunoreactive cells distributed in the inner nuclear layer (INL), and GABAA receptors were localized in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Anti-choline acetyltransferase-immuoreactive cholinergic neurons were mainly located in the INL and GCL, and most of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were localized in the IPL. The $m{\ddot{u}}ller$ cells in the retina of the greater horseshoe bat stretched theirs range from the GCL to outer nuclear layer (ONL). Conclusions: This study revealed that the retinas of the greater horseshoe bats contain the same major neurotransmitters and receptors, and glial cell in visually functional mammalian retinas. The present results may suggest that the greater horseshoe bats have the functional retinas for visual analysis through the organized retinal neural circuits.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 1999

The expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule-180 (NCAM-180), which accumulates at contact sites between cells and may be responsible for the stabilization of cell contacts, was studied in the olfactory system and retina of developing and adult rats. From embryonic day 12 onwards, which was the earliest stage examined, the NCAM-180 pathway directing to the presumptive olfactory bulb was observed. In later stages, olfactory neurons and fasciculating axons in the olfactory epithelium and nerve fiber layer and glomeruli of the olfactory bulb expressed NCAM-180. From postnatal day 0, immunolabelling pattern of the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb were the same as that during later stages. NCAM-180 immunoreactivity was present on differentiating retinal cells and persisted on those cells throughout adulthood. However, contrary to the olfactory nerve which remained detectable in the adult, the optic nerve was only transiently expressed with NCAM-180 and was no longer detectable in the adult. The presence of NCAM-180 in olfactory tissues suggests their possible role in pathfinding, differentiation, fasciculation and synaptic plasticity. The continued presence of NCAM-180 in the olfactory system examined may underlie its continuous cell turnover and regenerative capacity. The continuous expression of NCAM-180 in ganglion cells, bipolar cells and photoreceptor cells, also suggests potential regenerating capability and some plastic functions for these cells in the adult. Since the expression of NCAM-180 by the optic nerve was restricted to the period of special histogenetic events, for example, during axonal growth and synaptogenesis, it is possible that the lack of NCAM-180 in the adult optic nerve might cause a nonpermissive environment for the regeneration and result in regenerative failure of this system.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 1998

The dynamic properties of the 3rd-order neuron of the retina was investigated by using conventional intracellular recording techniques. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The cornea, iris, lens, and vitreous were removed by absorption with Kimwipe tissue under the dissection microscope thereby exposing the retina in a hemi -eyecup. The electrical signal was amplified by electrometer, viewed on oscilloscope. Regular signals from the cells were recorded on a penwriter and stored by data recorder and computer. Full-field, spot or annular light stimuli were generated on a computer monitor and focused onto the retina. Baclofen hyperpolarized the dark membrane potential, suppressed sustained component and enhanced transient component of the ON-sustained cell with a large transient component, but did not affect the surround antagonism of the cell. Baclofen selectively suppressed responses evoked by moving bar light stimuli on the ON-OFF transient cell. The results suggest that transient cells have directional selectivity in the inner retina. These dynamic properties of amacrine and ganglion cells were modulated by baclofen. Therefore, it is presumed that there is baclofen-induced directional selectivity in ON-OFF transient cells in the catfish retina.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.121-139
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• 2000

The morphogenesis of neuroblasts and plexiform layers, and establishment of its synapses were studied by electron microscopy in human embryos and fetuses ranging from 10 mm to 260 mm crown-rump length ($5\sim30$ weeks of gestational age). At 30 mm fetus the developing retina was composed of outer and inner neuroblastic layers . Cell division of outer neuroblast was occurred until 90 mm fetus. The transient layer of Chievitz was formed by 30 mm fetus, inner plexiform layer by 50 mm fetus, and outer plexiform layer by 150 mm fetus. The cytoplasm of differentiating ganglion cells contained ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticula, Golgi complexes, microtubules and dense bodies. The processes of $M\ddot{u}ller$ cell penetrated between groups of ganglion cell axons, and formed the cellular component of the inner limiting membrane at 30 mm fetus. At 90 mm fetus radial fibers of M ller cells contained extensive smooth endoplasmic reticula and microtubules. In each specimen , apposing paired membrane specializations were classified as junctions without synaptic vesicles, conventional synapses and ribbon synapses. At 50 mm fetus the processes of neuroblasts in inner plexiform layer were interconnected by junctions without synaptic vesicles. Conventional synapses developed by addition of synaptic vesicles to initially vesicle-free junctions at 90 mm fetus. At 150 mm fetus ribbon synapses were first recognized by the inclusion of a prominent electron-dense material associated with synaptic vesicles. By 260 mm fetus conventional and ribbon synapses and junctions without synaptic vesicles formed similar to those found in the adult.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.37-40
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• 2002

Ascidians are lower chordates, and their tadpole-like larvae share a basic body plan with vertebrates. To study photoreceptive systems in ascidians, we have isolated and characterized cDNA clones for three opsins, five G protein ${\alpha}$ subunits (G${\alpha}$), catalytic and regulatory subunits of cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE), and arrestin from the ascidian Ciona intestinalis tadpole larva. Ci-opsin1 and Ci-opsin2 are vertebrate-type opsins, while Ci-opsin3 is a retinal photoisomerase similar to retinochrome and mammalian RGR. Both Ci-opsin1 and arrestin are specifically localized in the photoreceptor cells of the ocellus, whereas Ci -opsin2 is not expressed in the photoreceptors, but is co-localized in another population of neurons in the brain with PDE (Ci-PDE9 and Ci-PDE$\delta$). Ci-opsin3 is present in the entire region of the brain. Though five different cDNAs encoding Ga have been cloned, no transducin-type G protein has been found yet. Interestingly, one of G${\alpha}$i isoform is conspicuously expressed in the entire region of the brain. The Ci-opsin3 gene expression was observed in a broad area of the brain vesicle as well as in the visceral ganglion. Genes encoding ascidian homologs of CRALBP and ${\beta}$-CD, whose function is required for the mammalian visual cycle, are co-expressed with Ci-opsin3 in the brain vesicle and visceral ganglion. Localization of Ci-opsin3, CRALBP, and ${\beta}$-CD in a broad area of the brain suggests that the brain of the ascidian larva has a visual cycle system similar to that of the vertebrate RPE. Based on these data, we discuss the evolution of vertebrate visual systems.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1064-1072
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• 2013

Circadian rhythm is controlled by hormonal oscillations governing the physiology of all living organisms. In mammals, the main function of the pineal gland is to transform the circadian rhythm generated in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus into rhythmic signals of circulating melatonin characterized by a largely nocturnal increase that closely reflects the duration of night time. The pineal gland has lost direct photosensitivity, but responds to light via multi-synaptic pathways that include a subset of retinal ganglion cells. Rhythmic control is achieved through a tight coupling between environmental lighting and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) expression, which is the rhythm-controlling enzyme in melatonin synthesis. Previous studies on the nocturnal expression of AANAT protein have described transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. Molecular mechanisms for dependent AANAT expression provide novel aspects for melatonin's circadian rhythmicity. Extensive animal research has linked pineal melatonin for the expression of seasonal rhythmicity in many mammalian species to the modulation of circadian rhythms and to sleep regulation. It has value in treating various circadian rhythm disorders, such as jet lag or shift-work sleep disorders. Melatonin, also, in a broad range of effects with a significant regulation influences many of the body's physiological functions. In addition, this hormone is known to influence reproductive, cardiovascular, and immunological regulation as well as psychiatric disorders.