Benzodiazepine and kainate receptor binding sites in the RCS rat retina

Abstract

The results indicate that postnatal changes occur in kainate and benzodiazepine receptor binding sites in OPL and IPL of the rat retina up to 6 months of age. The data also suggest that the receptor binding changes observed in the RCS retina could be a consequence of the primary photoreceptor degeneration.

Genetically induced retinal degeneration leads to changes in metabotropic glutamate receptor expression

“…This decline is within the late period of postnatal retinal development. A similar steep decline of 63% in the late postnatal period has been reported for kainate receptor binding sites of the outer plexiform layer between P17 and P35 [26]. The decrease in density of mGluR6 mRNA that we have observed could be attributed to a decreased amount of message per cell, or a loss of cells with maintenance of message in the remaining cells, or a combination of both.…”

“…Changes have been reported for other receptors in the rd mouse retina [8]. In the RCS retina late increases have been reported in benzodiazepine and kainate receptor binding sites in the outer plexiform layer [26]. Is the increased mGluR6 mRNA expression leading to increased receptor protein level?…”