MORPHOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL SPECIFICITY OF GANGLION CELLS

我们的长期目标是表征形态和 视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)生化多样性的测定 各类型神经节细胞的中央投射。 视网膜节不仅在形态和中央投射上不同，而且在以下方面也不同：a) 它们接收到的输入，因此是受体分子的含量 各种假定的发射器；b)第二信使；c)性质和 推测的各种递质和“神经调节剂”的数量 在其中心目标处释放；d)对受伤的反应；e)其 有选择的再生能力。 我们目前的具体目标包括： 1)继续进行努力，以确定假定的发射机和 视网膜节细胞中的神经肽，并定义其独特的中枢投射。我们 目前正专注于神经肽脑啡肽和 缩胆囊素。 2)确定不同物种的递质受体和营养因子受体 神经节细胞群，特别是烟碱型乙酰胆碱， GABA(A)和NGF受体。 3)试图阐明nAChR受体分子在体内转运的作用 视顶盖内“非突触”部位的神经节细胞轴突(所谓 “虚假运输”)。 4)确定递质和受体表达的时间模式 在胚胎发育过程中视网膜神经元中。 这些研究可能有助于识别调节神经节细胞的因素。 递质、生长和对损伤的反应，如在创伤和青光眼中。 方法：光镜和电子显微镜免疫组织化学原位观察 杂交法、顺行和逆行路径追踪法。动物： 鸽子，小鸡胚胎，青蛙。

Our long term objective is to characterize the morphological and biochemical diversity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCS), and to determine the central projections of individual types of ganglion cells. RGCs differ not only in morphology and central projections, but also in: a) the input they receive and hence the content of receptor molecules for various putative transmitters; b) second messengers; c) the nature and number of various putative transmitters and "neuromodulators" presumably released at their central targets; d) response to injury; and e) their selective ability to regenerate. Our immediate specific aims include: 1) Continue ongoing efforts to identify putative transmitters and neuropeptides in RGCS, and define their unique central projections. We presently are concentrating on the neuropeptides enkephalin and cholecystokinin. 2) Identify receptors for transmitters and trophic factors in different populations of ganglion cells, particularly nicotinic acetylcholine, GABA(A) and NGF receptors. 3) Attempt to clarify the role of transport of nAChR receptor molecules in ganglion cell axons to "nonsynaptic" sites in the optic tectum (so-called "spurious transport"). 4) Determine temporal patterns of expression of transmitters and receptors in retinal neurons during embryogenesis. These studies may help identify factors regulating ganglion cell transmitters, growth and response to injury, as in trauma and glaucoma. Methods: light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, anterograde and retrograde pathway tracing methods. Animals: Pigeons, chick embryos, frogs.