Abstract

The goal of the present study is to characterize the functional properties of wide-field retinal amacrine cells as a model system for amacrine cell physiology. The proposed research is designed to study: (1) the intrinsic membrane properties of these cells after they have been isolated from the retina and maintained in culture; (2) the action of the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA and glycine for their effect on the amacrine cell response properties; and (3) the interplay between neurotransmitter action and voltage-activated currents. In addition to the above transmitters, the action of the neuromodulator dopamine will also be examined. Following the studies on cultured cells, the retinal slice preparation will be used to investigate the physiological responses of amacrine cells in the context of a functioning retina. Stimuli will be presented and response properties evaluated. A ganglion cell receiving input from the wide-field amacrine cell will be identified, and signal transmission from the amacrine cell to ganglion cell will be studied. Information gathered from the proposed study will be valuable in understanding how signal processing occurs at the level of the last synaptic interface in the retina before information is transferred to the brain.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY005972-16
Application #
6518350
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
1985-08-01
Project End
2004-03-31
Budget Start
2002-04-01
Budget End
2004-03-31
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$337,500
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Utah
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112

  Publications

Solessio, E; Rapp, K; Perlman, I et al. (2001) Spermine mediates inward rectification in potassium channels of turtle retinal Muller cells. J Neurophysiol 85:1357-67
Solessio, E; Linn, D M; Perlman, I et al. (2000) Characterization with barium of potassium currents in turtle retinal Muller cells. J Neurophysiol 83:418-30
Linn, D M; Solessio, E; Perlman, I et al. (1998) The role of potassium conductance in the generation of light responses in Muller cells of the turtle retina. Vis Neurosci 15:449-58
Liu, Y; Lasater, E M (1994) Calcium currents in turtle retinal ganglion cells. I. The properties of T- and L-type currents. J Neurophysiol 71:733-42
Liu, Y; Lasater, E M (1994) Calcium currents in turtle retinal ganglion cells. II. Dopamine modulation via a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism. J Neurophysiol 71:743-52
Perlman, I; Sullivan, J M; Normann, R A (1993) Voltage- and time-dependent potassium conductances enhance the frequency response of horizontal cells in the turtle retina. Brain Res 619:89-97
Pfeiffer-Linn, C; Lasater, E M (1993) Dopamine modulates in a differential fashion T- and L-type calcium currents in bass retinal horizontal cells. J Gen Physiol 102:277-94
Vaughan, D K; Lasater, E M (1992) Acid phosphatase localization in endocytosed horizontal cell gap junctions. Vis Neurosci 8:77-81
Sullivan, J M; Lasater, E M (1992) Sustained and transient calcium currents in horizontal cells of the white bass retina. J Gen Physiol 99:84-107
Lasater, E M (1991) Characteristics of single-channels activated by quisqualate and kainate in teleost retinal horizontal cells. Vision Res 31:413-24

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