Steroid metabolizing enzymes in the rat retina : immunohistochemical study.

神经类固醇由胆固醇或其他甾体前体合成，通过调节中枢神经系统的神经传递影响神经元功能。最近的研究表明，视网膜也会产生神经类固醇。然而，目前尚不清楚这些酶在视网膜中的位置以及它们如何影响视网膜生理学。本研究采用免疫组织化学方法研究了类固醇代谢酶在发育和成年大鼠视网膜中的定位。此外，为了评估这些酶在视网膜中的表达，我们进行了逆转录-聚合酶链反应。

Neurosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol or other steroidal precursors and affect neuronal functions by modulating neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that neurosteroids are produced also in the retina. However, it is unclear where the enzymes are located in the retina and how they contribute to retinal physiology. Here, we investigated the localization of steroid metabolizing enzymes in the developing and adult rat retina by using immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies. Furthermore, to evaluate the developing expression of the enzymes in the retina, we carried out reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.