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Acta Physiologica 2009; Volume 195, Supplement 667
XXXV Congress of The Spanish Society for Physiological Sciences
2/17/2009-2/20/2009
Valencia, Spain
FUNCTIONAL EXPRESSION OF NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS IN BOVINE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS
Abstract number: P93
Lax1 P, Palmero2 M, Maneu2,3 V
1Dpto. Fisiologa, Gentica y Microbiologa. Universidad de Alicante. 03690-San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain. [email protected].
2Dpto. ptica, Farmacologa y Anatoma. Universidad de Alicante. 03690-San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.
3Instituto Tefilo Hernando de I+D del Medicamento. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autnoma de Madrid. 28029-Madrid, Spain
Aim:
To test the expression and functionality of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.
Methods:
RT-PCR, Western-blot and immunocitochemistry techniques were used in order to characterize the expression of a3 and a7 nAChRs in bovine RPE in culture. The presence of functional nAChRs was evaluated in these cells using the Ca2+ indicator dye fura-2, and measuring the Ca2+ transients evoked by application of nicotine and acetylcholine.
Results:
mRNAs encoding a3 and a7 nAChRs subunits were detected in bovine RPE in culture. Western-blot techniques also evidenced the protein expression of a3 and a7 subunits, which were confirmed by immunofluorescence. Application of 200 mM nicotine evoked intracellular Ca2+ transients measurable by fluorescence techniques in a subpopulation of the tested cells. A similar number of cells responded to co-application of 200 mM acetylcholine and the muscarinic inhibitor atropine (0.5 mM).
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that functional nAChRs are expressed in RPE. These channels could be involved in the eye growth control attributed to the retinal nicotinic receptors.
Partially supported by grant BFU 2007-60658/BFI, Spain.
To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Acta Physiologica 2009; Volume 195, Supplement 667 :P93