Characterization of the Nicotinic Receptor in Rat Retina

描述（由申请人提供）： 本研究计划的研究项目包括描述视网膜中烟碱受体的亚型。神经递质乙酰胆碱和烟碱受体在视网膜细胞信号传导中起着至关重要的作用。视觉通路的发育和可能的实际眼生长都依赖于烟碱受体的特定亚型。本研究的主要目的包括：（1）应用亚型特异性药物和亚单位特异性抗体，通过药理学结合实验和免疫沉淀实验及蛋白质印迹法，对视网膜烟碱受体的主要亚型进行鉴定。(2)尼古丁和NGF在体内和视网膜外植体培养物中对尼古丁受体的调节的检查。(3)确定烟碱受体的哪些亚型沿视神经向下转运至外侧膝状体核和上级丘。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The research project proposed in this grant involves characterizing the subtypes of the nicotinic receptor in the retina. The neurotransmitter acteylcholine and the nicotinic receptor play a vital role in cell signaling in the retina. The development of the visual pathway and possibly actual ocular growth both depend on specific subtypes of nicotinic receptors. The aims of my research include: (1) Characterization of the dominant subtypes of the nicotinic receptor in the retina using subtype specific drugs in pharmacological binding assays and subunit specific antibodies in immunoprecipitation experiments and western blotting. (2) Examination of the regulation of the nicotinic receptor by nicotine and NGF in vivo and in cultures of retinal explants. (3) Determination of which subtypes of the nicotinic receptor are transported down the optic nerve to the lateral geniculate nucleus and the superior colliculus.