Immunocytochemical evidence of the localization of the Crumbs homologue 3 protein (CRB3) in the developing and mature mouse retina

PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e50511. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050511. Epub 2012 Nov 30.

Abstract

CRB3 (Crumbs homologue 3), a member of the CRB protein family (homologous to the Drosophila Crumbs), is expressed in different epithelium-derived cell types in mammals, where it seems to be involved in regulating the establishment and stability of tight junctions and in ciliogenesis. This protein has been also detected in the retina, but little is known about its localization and function in this tissue. Our goal here was to perform an in-depth study of the presence of CRB3 protein in the mouse retina and to analyze its expression during photoreceptor ciliogenesis and the establishment of the plexiform retinal layers. Double immunofluorescence experiments for CRB3 and well-known markers for the different retinal cell types were performed to study the localization of the CRB3 protein. According to our results, CRB3 is present from postnatal day 0 (P0) until adulthood in the mouse retina. It is localized in the inner segments (IS) of photoreceptor cells, especially concentrated in the area where the connecting cilium is located, in their synaptic terminals in the outer plexiform layer (OPL), and in sub-populations of amacrine and bipolar cells in the inner plexiform layer (IPL).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
  • Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / growth & development*
  • Retina / metabolism*

Substances

  • Crb3 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (BFU2008-04490/BFI), Grupos de excelencia de la Junta de Castilla y León (GR183), Fundación Alicia Koplowitz, Fundación de lucha contra la ceguera (FUNDALUCE) and Fundación Eugenio Rodríguez Pascual. S.H.M received support from the Junta de Castilla y León PhD Program. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.