Differential Expression of GABA Transporters in Developing Rat Retina

Lee, Mun Yong; Shin, Soon Lim; Chung, Jin Woong; Chun, Myung Hoon

Abstract

To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters in the developing rat retina, we localized two GABA transporter proteins, GAT-1 and GAT-3 by immunocytochemistry. GAT-1 immunoreactivity appeared from embryonic day 20 (E20) in the punctate-like structures in the inner plexiform layer. At postnatal day 3 (P3), immunolabeling of cell bodies in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers and processes in the inner plexiform layer became much stronger, reaching a maximum staining intensity during the second postnatal week, and the expression pattern and intensity became almost identical to those of the adult retina by P14. In addition, Miller cells also began to show weak immunlabeling for GAT-1 from P10 onward. In contrast, develop-mentally transient immunolabeling for GAT-1 was found in horizontal cells located at the scleral border of the inner nuclear layer during the second postnatal week. The initial immunolabeling for GAT-3 immunoreactivity was already noted in scattered cell bodies and processes of the neuroblastic layer at E18, the earliest time point. During the first week of the postnatal life, GAT-3 immunoreactivity increased in the cell bodies in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, and processes in the inner plexiform layer. From P10 onward, this labeling began to decline, and remained faintly in the neuronal somata of the inner nuclear layer by P14. Instead, the labeling was predominantly localized in Mler cells. Astrocytes in the nerve fiber layer showed the transient labeling during the first postnatal week. Our results showed distinct temporal patterns of two GABA transporter proteins in the developing rat retina, and it suggests specialized roles for GABA transporters in the development of the rat retina.