Centrifugal innervation of the neural retina has been described in all examined vertebrates including man. Previous studies have suggested a role of centrifugal input on retinal neural activity. However, how centrifugal signals influence overall visual performance such as rod and cone sensitivity and contrast remains unexplored. We have recently isolated a zebrafish mutation (night blindness b) that permits behavioral, physiological, and genetic studies of centrifugal innervation of visual sensitivity. The objective of this study is to understand the role of centrifugal input on visual sensitivity and to uncover the mechanism underlying the central nervous system centrifugal pathway. We use zebrafish (Danio rerio) as our model system. In zebrafish, the centrifugal pathway originates from terminalis neurons that are located in the olfactory bulb. In this proposal, experiments are designed to examine 1) the effect of olfactory input on cone and rod system sensitivity and contrast sensitivity, 2) the roles of olfactory input in outer and inner retinal neuronal activity, and 3) the mechanisms that underlie olfactoretinal centrifugal synaptic transmission. These studies will lend insights to retinal circuitry, particularly the one mediated by dopamine, and will provide fundamentals for better understanding of human visual functions and eye diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY013147-02
Application #
6623743
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-VISC (01))
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
2002-05-01
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2003-03-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$42,290
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kentucky
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
939017877
City
Lexington
State
KY
Country
United States
Zip Code
40506
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Sun, Lei; Li, Ping; Carr, Aprell L et al. (2014) Transcription of the SCL/TAL1 interrupting Locus (Stil) is required for cell proliferation in adult Zebrafish Retinas. J Biol Chem 289:6934-40
Xu, Jia-Xi; Si, Man; Zhang, Hui-Ran et al. (2014) Phosphoinositide kinases play key roles in norepinephrine- and angiotensin II-induced increase in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and modulation of cardiac function. J Biol Chem 289:6941-8
Li, Jingling; Li, Ping; Carr, Aprell et al. (2013) Functional expression of SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) protects retinal dopaminergic cells from neurotoxin-induced degeneration. J Biol Chem 288:886-93
Li, Xinle; Montgomery, Jake; Cheng, Wesley et al. (2012) Pineal photoreceptor cells are required for maintaining the circadian rhythms of behavioral visual sensitivity in zebrafish. PLoS One 7:e40508
Ye, Qijun; Chen, Dongyan; Xi, Yang et al. (2012) Effects of light illumination and the expression of wee1 on tissue regeneration in adult zebrafish. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 428:132-6
Shao, Jinping; Chen, Dongyan; Ye, Qijun et al. (2011) Tissue regeneration after injury in adult zebrafish: the regenerative potential of the caudal fin. Dev Dyn 240:1271-7
Huang, Luoxiu; Li, Lei (2011) Characterization of voltage-activated ionic currents in the GnRH-containing terminalis nerve in transgenic zebrafish. Brain Res 1367:43-9
Wang, Xiaokai; Huang, Luoxiu; Li, Yue et al. (2011) Characterization of GFP-tagged GnRH-containing terminalis neurons in transgenic zebrafish. J Cell Physiol 226:608-15

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