Cell type-specific and light-dependent expression of Rab1 and Rab6 GTPases in mammalian retinas

Vis Neurosci. 2009 Nov;26(5-6):443-52. doi: 10.1017/S0952523809990277. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Abstract

The Ras-like Rab1 and Rab6 GTPases modulate protein traffic along the early secretory pathway and are involved in the regulation of maturation of rhodopsin in the outer retina. However, Rab GTPases have not been studied in the inner retinas. Here, we analyzed the anatomatic distribution and expression of Rab1 and Rab6 in the mouse and rat retinas by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. We found that Rab1 was specifically expressed in the rod bipolar cells, while Rab6 was expressed in a different cell type(s) from rod bipolar cells in the inner retina. We also demonstrated that expression of Rab1 and Rab6 was increased with light. These data provided the first evidence implicating that Rab1 and Rab6 may be involved in the regulation of the retinal adaptation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Light*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Retinal Neurons / cytology
  • Retinal Neurons / metabolism*
  • Secretory Pathway
  • Up-Regulation
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Rab6 protein
  • Protein Kinase C
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rab1 GTP-Binding Proteins