Abstract Dr. A. Ahmad
Localization of purinergic receptors in embryonic and postnatal developing mouse retina
Favored hypothesis for the development of neural connections in the central visual pathways during late gestation and early postnatal life span has been associated with rhythmic spontaneous physiological waves in the retina. This activity is roughly divided into three stages, each stage characterizing a prominent neurotransmitter system involvement with the waves. Pharmacological studies suggest adenosine (purinergic) neurotransmitter regulates this activity during the first stage (stage I). Agonists and antagonists used in these experiments effect many classes of purinergic receptors that may regulate this activity. To date there is no morphological evidence for the presence of these receptors in the developing retina. Additionally, we do not know which specific purinergic receptors express during stage I retinal waves. The study proposes to investigate the presence of six purinergic receptors (P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X5, and P2X7) in the developing retina using immunohistochemistry, and hypothesizes the imminence of P2X4 and P2X7 in retinal waves during stage I.
Updated 10/31/2005
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