Adenylate Cyclases in the Vertebrate Retina: Distribution and Characteristics in Rabbit and Ground Squirrel

Adenylate cyclase activity and the effects of EGTA, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GPP(NH)P), and dopamine were measured in microdissected layers of rod-dominant (rabbit) and cone-dominant (ground squirrel) retinas, The distribution of basal enzyme activity was similar in both species, with the highest levels found in the inner plexiform and photoreceptor cell inner segment layers, EGTA inhibited adenylate cyclase in the inner retina of both species and stimulated activity in rabbit outer and inner segment layers, but had no effect in these layers from ground squirrel. Enzyme activity was stimulated in all regions by GPP(NH)P, except in the outer segments of the photoreceptors. Dopamine stimulated the enzyme in the outer and inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers in rabbit, but only in the inner plexiform layer in ground squirrel. These data demonstrate that the enzymatic characteristics of adenylate cyclase vary extensively from region to region in vertebrate retina and suggest that cyclic AMP may have multiple roles in this tissue. A model for the distribution of the different forms of adenylate cyclase in retina is proposed.     

Ouabain binding to renal tubules of the rabbit

It is well known that ouabain, a specific inhibitor of Na-K ATPase-dependent transport, interferes with renal tubular salt reabsorption. In this study, we employed radiochemical methods to measure the kinetics of [3H]ouabain binding to slices of rabbit renal medulla and high resolution quantitative autoradiography to determine the location and number of cellular binding sites. The kinetics obeyed a simple bimolecular reaction with an association constant of 2.86 +/- 0.63 SD x 10(3) M-1 min-1 and a dissociation constant of 1.46 x 10(-3) min-1, yielding an equilibrium binding constant of 0.51 x 10(-6) M. Binding was highly dependent upon temperature. At a concentration of 10(-6) M, the rate of accumulation between 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C exhibited a Q10 of 1.8. At 0 degree C the rate of ouabain dissociation was negligible. The specificity of binding was demonstrated with increasing potassium concentrations. At a concentration of 1 microM, 6 mM, and 50 mM K+ produced a 2.5- and 7-fold decrease, respectively, in the rate of ouabain accumulation observed at zero K+. Binding was completely inhibited by 1 mM strophanthin K. The major site of ouabain binding was the thick ascending limb; little or no binding was observed in thin limbs and collecting ducts. Moreover, binding was confined to the basolateral membranes. From autoradiographic grain density measurements, it was estimated that each cell contains over 4 x 10(6) ouabain binding sites or Na-K ATPase molecules. These results taken together with physiological and biochemical observations suggest that Na-K ATPase plays a key role in salt reabsorption by this segment.     

Localization of Na+-pump sites in frog skin

The localization of Na+-pump sites (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the frog skin epithelium was determined by a freeze-dry radioautographic method for identifying [3H]ouabain-binding sites. Ventral pelvic skins of Rana catesbeiana were mounted in Ussing chambers and exposed to 10(-6) M [3H]ouabain for 120 min, washed in ouabain-free Ringer's solution for 60 min, and then processed for radioautography. Ouabain-binding sites were localized on the inward facing (serosal) membranes of all the living cells. Quantitative analysis of grain distribution showed that the overwhelming majority of Na+-pump sites were localized deep to the outer living cell layer, i.e., in the stratum spinosum and stratum germinativum. Binding of ouabain was correlated with inhibition of Na+ transport. Specificity of ouabain binding to Na+-K+-ATPase was verified by demonstrating its sensitivity to the concentration of ligands (K+, ATP) that affect binding of ouabain to the enzyme. Additional studies supported the conclusion that the distribution of bound ouabain reflects the distribution of those pumps involved in the active transepithelial transport of Na+. After a 30-min exposure to [3H]ouabain, Na+ transport declined to a level that was significantly less than that in untreated paired controls, and analysis of grain distribution showed that over 90% of the ouabain-binding sites were localized to the inner cell layers. Furthermore, in skins where Na+ transport had been completely inhibited by exposure to 10(-5) M ouabain, the grain distribution was identical to that in skins exposed to 10(-6) M. The results support a model which depicts all the living cell layers functioning as a syncytium with regard to the active transepithelial transport of Na+.     

Spermine Inhibits [3H]Glycine Binding at the NMDA Receptors from Plexiform Layers of Chick Retina

Saturable specific binding of glycine to synaptosomal membranes from plexiform layers of the retina has been described, which seems to correspond to the modulatory site on NMDA-receptors (26). Spermine inhibited specific [³H]glycine binding to membranes from synaptosomal fractions from the outer (P₁) and the inner (P₂) plexiform layers of 1–3 day-old chick retinas in a dose-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ = 35 M for the P₁ fraction and 32 M for the P₂ fraction. Kinetic experiments and non-linear regression analysis of [³H]glycine-specific binding showed a K_d ~ 100–150 nM in both fractions, and a higher B_max (4.11 ± 0.47 pmol/mg protein) for the inner plexiform layer compared to the outer plexiform layer (B_max = 2.76 ± 0.25 pmol/mg protein). Strychnine-insensitive [³H]glycine binding was inhibited by 100 M spermine, due to a reduction in B_max (P₁ = 0.84 ± 0.16 pmol/mg protein; P₂ = 0.81 ± 0.16 pmol/mg protein) without affecting the K_d. Association and dissociation constants in the absence and presence of 50 M spermine remained unchanged. Results demonstrate the presence of a single modulatory site for spermine on NMDA receptors, in both synaptic layers of the chick retina.     

Characterization of the epidermal growth factor receptor in preimplantation pig conceptuses.

Embryos recovered from sows on Days 9-13 of pregnancy (Day 0 = first day of estrus) exhibited saturable and time-dependent specific binding of 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF). The specific binding (pg/mg protein) was greater (P less than 0.001) for Day 13 elongated conceptuses than for conceptuses of earlier stages. Scatchard analyses showed two classes of binding sites (Kd = 7.0 +/- 2.6 x 10(-11) M, Bmax = 6.2 +/- 1.4 fmol/mg protein and Kd = 3.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) M, Bmax = 420 +/- 80 fmol/mg protein). The EGF receptor in Day 13 conceptus membranes is a 170-kDa protein and was phosphorylated in the presence of EGF and adenosine triphosphate. EGF stimulated protein tyrosine kinase activity about 1.6-fold over basal levels. The results show that the preimplantation pig conceptus possesses EGF-binding sites with the properties of functional EGF-receptors.     

Demonstration of platelet activating factor receptor in guinea pig kidney.

Distribution of platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor was examined in the guinea pig kidney. Northern blot analysis showed a single band electrophoresed just below the 28S rRNA, and the mRNA was richest in the cortex with lesser amounts in the outer and then inner medulla. Scatchard analysis of membrane fraction using [3H]WEB 2086, a specific PAF receptor antagonist, revealed a single binding site with Bmax of 522, 228, 58 fmol/mg protein for the cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla, respectively. Kd values were in the same order of magnitude (10(-8) M). These results indicate the presence of a single class of PAF receptor in the guinea pig kidney which is most abundant in the cortex.     

Distribution of Three Enzymes of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Metabolism in Monkey Retina

Abstract: The distributions of glutamate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.15), γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (EC 2.6.1.19), and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.24) were determined in monkey retina. The decarboxylase was almost restricted to the inner plexiform layer. The transaminase was also highest in this layer, but activities were 40% as high in the adjacent third of the inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell and fiber layers. Succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase was distributed very differently. Although it also showed a peak of activity in the inner plexiform layer, there was a second equal peak in the photoreceptor inner segment layer and a smaller peak in the outer plexiform layer, regions where both γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase and glutamate decarboxylase were essentially absent.     

Structure-function relationships of curaremimetic neurotoxin loop 2 and of a structurally similar segment of rabies virus glycoprotein in their interaction with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

Peptides corresponding to portions of curaremimetic neurotoxin loop 2 and to a structurally similar segment of rabies virus glycoprotein were synthetically modified in order to gain information on structure-function relationships of neurotoxin loop 2 interactions with the acetylcholine receptor. Binding of synthetic peptides to the acetylcholine receptor of Torpedo electric organ membranes was assessed by measuring their ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin to the receptor. The peptides showing the highest affinity for the receptor were a peptide corresponding to the sequence of loop 2 (residues 25-44) of Ophiophagus hannah (king cobra) toxin b (IC50 = 5.7 x 10(-6) M) and the structurally similar segment (residues 173-203) of CVS rabies virus glycoprotein (IC50 = 2.6 x 10(-6) M). These affinities were comparable to those of d-tubocurarine (IC50 = 3.4 x 10(-6) M) and suberyldicholine (IC50 = 2.5 x 10(-6) M). These results demonstrate the importance of loop 2 in the neurotoxin interaction with the receptor. N- and C-terminal deletions of the loop 2 peptides and substitution of residues invariant or highly conserved among neurotoxins were performed in order to determine the role of individual residues in binding. Residues 25-40 are the most crucial in the interaction with the acetylcholine receptor. Modifications involving Lys-27, Trp-29, Phe-33, Arg-37, and Gly-38 reduced affinity of binding. R37D and F33T modifications reduced the affinity of alpha-bungarotoxin residues 28-40 by an order of magnitude. Arg-37 may correspond to the positively charged quaternary ammonium group and Phe-33 to the hydrophobic acetyl methyl group of acetylcholine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN VERTEBRATE RETINA1

Abstract— Choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) activity was determined in retinal layers from 10 vertebrates. In all animals, the highest activity was in the inner plexiform layer, intermediate activity in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, and very low activity in the photoreceptor and outer plexiform layers and optic nerve. The pattern of distribution of enzyme activity within the inner nuclear layer corresponds quantitatively to the distribution of amacrine cells within that layer. A species difference of almost 90-fold was found between the lowest and highest values for ChAc activity in inner plexiform layer. The variation in enzyme activity found among homeotherms in inner nuclear and inner plexiform layers is related to the number of amacrine cell synapses in the inner plexiform layer. But the differences in enzyme activity are generally greater than those which have been found in numbers of amacrine cell synapses between species. The data suggest that cholinergic neurons in retina are to be found predominantly among the amacrine cell types and that not all amacrine cells will be found to be cholinergic.     

Calmodulin gene expression in the neural retina of the adult rat

Calmodulin (CaM) mRNAs are expressed with low abundancy in the adult rat neural retina. However, when digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled cRNA probes specific for each CaM mRNA population were hybridized at slightly alkaline pH (pH 8.0), the widespread distribution of CaM mRNA-expressing cells was revealed, with similar abundance for all three CaM genes. The CaM genes displayed a uniquely similar, layer-specific expression throughout the retina, and no significant differences were found in the distribution patterns of the CaM mRNA populations or the labeled cell types. The strongest signal for all CaM mRNAs was demonstrated in the ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer, where the highest signal intensity was found within the inner sublamina. Similarly intermediate signal intensities for all CaM genes were detected in the inner and outer plexiform layers, within the vicinity of the outer limiting membrane and in the retinal pigment epithelium. A very low specific signal was characteristic in the outer nuclear layer and the photoreceptor inner segment layer, while no specific hybridization signal was observed in the photoreceptor outer segment layer. In summary, all CaM genes exhibited a similar and a characteristically layer-specific expression pattern in the adult rat retina.     

Characterization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding to pituitary receptors in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).

Receptors for GnRH in the pituitary of Sparus aurata were characterized using iodinated [D-Ala6-Pro9-NEt]-LHRH (GnRHa). Equilibrium binding of the ligand to the receptor was achieved after 1 h at 4 degrees C. Binding of the radioligand was a function of tissue concentration, with a linear correlation over the range of one-sixteenth to three-fourths pituitary per tube. Displacement experiments with salmon GnRH (sGnRH), GnRHa, as well as unrelated peptides demonstrated the specificity of the receptors. Binding was found to be saturable at ligand concentrations of 4 x 10(-9) M. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data suggested the presence of a single class of high-affinity sites (Ka = 0.567 +/- 0.136 x 10(9) M-1, Bmax = 1091 +/- 207 fmol/mg protein).     

Identification and characterization of a new family of high-affinity receptors for Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin in rat intestinal membranes.

Novel high-affinity, low-capacity binding sites in intestinal membranes for the heat-stable toxin produced by Escherichia coli have been defined. The appearance of these sites is observed in the presence of physiological concentrations of NaCl in binding reactions. Scatchard analyses of equilibrium binding in the absence of NaCl demonstrated a single class of binding sites with KD = 1.9 x 10(-9) M and Bmax = 0.75 pmol/mg of protein. In contrast, similar experiments in the presence of NaCl demonstrated, in addition to the previously described low-affinity site, a high-affinity site with a KD of 2.1 x 10(-11) M and a Bmax of 73 fmol/mg of protein. Confirmation of the presence of high- and low-affinity sites was obtained in studies of the kinetics of ST binding. These sites exhibited similar dissociation but markedly different association kinetics. Determination of the association and dissociation constants permitted calculation of the KD's for the high- and low-affinity sites, which were 1.15 x 10(-11) M and 1.89 x 10(-9) M, respectively. These data agree closely with those obtained in studies of equilibrium binding. Furthermore, similar values for the KD's of these sites were obtained in experiments of competitive displacement of labeled ST, confirming the presence of two receptors for this toxin. Binding of ST to high-affinity sites is completely reversible and does not appear to be coupled to activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. In contrast, binding of ST to low-affinity sites appears to be partially reversible and may be coupled to activation of guanylate cyclase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Oxytocin receptors in guinea pig myometrium near term and during labor

Oxytocin receptors in myometrium of women, rats, and rabbits rise markedly before the onset of labor, suggesting a role in the initiation of labor. In guinea pigs, a previous study reported no such rise by one-point determination of oxytocin binding. The purpose of this study was to use a more rigorous method to determine whether the binding characteristics of myometrial oxytocin receptors change in relation to labor in guinea pigs. Competitive binding studies were carried out in microsomes from inner and outer myometrium between 42 days of gestation and labor. Binding to analogs was also tested. Data were analyzed with affinity spectra and LIGAND. Oxytocin bound to one site with a dissociation constant of 6.3 +/- 0.65 x 10(-9) M. Binding capacity was 1.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(-12) mol/mg protein. The Hill coefficient was near unity. No significant changes occurred with gestation or labor in dissociation constant, binding capacity, or Hill coefficient (all P >/= 0.2, nested ANOVA). Binding capacity was higher in the outer than in the inner layer (1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.1 x 10(-12) mol/mg protein, P = 0.02), but the dissociation constants were similar. Differences existed in the dissociation constants of the analogs tested. The main conclusion is that oxytocin receptors are unlikely to have a regulatory role in the initiation of labor in guinea pigs.     

Characterization of azadirachtin binding to Sf9 nuclei in vitro

[22,23-(3)H(2)]dihydroazadirachtin was incorporated by Sf9 cells in culture and was bound specifically to the nuclear fraction. The observed association constant of the binding of the radioligand to a purified nuclear fraction was determined to be 0.037 +/- 0.008 min(-1) using a one-phase exponential association equation, and binding appeared to be to a single population of sites. The binding was essentially irreversible, and the dissociation constant was estimated to be 0.00065 +/- 0.00013 min(-1). An association rate constant of 7.3 x 10(6) M(-1) min(-1) was calculated from these data. Binding was saturable, and the receptor number and affinity were determined as B(max) = 23.87 +/- 1.15 pmol/mg protein, K(d) = 18.1 +/- 2.1 nM. The order of potency of semisynthetic azadirachtin analogues for competition for the binding site was as follows (IC(50) in parentheses): azadirachtin (1.55 x 10(-8) M) > dihydroazadirachtin (3.16 x 10(-8) M) > dansyl dihydroazadirachtin (7.40 x 10(-8) M) > DNP-azadirachtin (7.50 x 10(-8) M) > biotin dihydroazadirachtin (1.27 x 10(-7) M) > 11-methoxy 22,23-dihydroazadirachtin (6.67 x 10(-7) M). [Originally published in Volume 34, Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology, 34:461-473 (1997).] Copyright 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Heparin and heparan sulfate binding sites on B-16 melanoma cells

We have reported previously that the production of a tumor cell factor that stimulates synthesis of fibroblast collagenase is influenced by a fibroblast-deposited matrix component, possibly heparan sulfate-proteoglycan. In this study, binding sites for heparin and heparan sulfate on mouse B-16 melanoma cells have been demonstrated. Binding of 3H-heparin and 35S-heparan sulfate has been shown to occur to whole cells, isolated membranes, and to a component(s) of detergent extracts of the membranes. Scatchard analysis of binding of 3H-heparin yielded a Kd of 2-5 x 10(-8) M and a Bmax of 0.5 x 10(7) heparin molecules bound per cell. Binding of 35S-heparan sulfate was of at least an order of magnitude lower affinity than heparin, but the Bmax was similar to that for heparin. Competition studies showed that 35S-heparan sulfate binding was inhibited totally by heparin and heparan sulfate and partially by dermatan sulfate, but no inhibition was obtained with hyaluronate or chondroitin sulfate. Binding of 3H-heparin was inhibited totally by heparin but to different extents by preparations of heparan sulfate from different tissue sources. The heparin/heparan sulfate binding activity is a protein(s) because it is destroyed by treatment with trypsin. Binding of 3H-heparin to transblots of the detergent extract of the B-16 cell membranes indicated that at least part of the binding activity is a 14,000-dalton protein.     

Increase in serotonin 5-HT1A receptors in prefrontal and temporal cortices of brains from patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Binding studies with [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT), a specific serotonin1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist, were done on the autopsied brains from control subjects and from patients with chronic schizophrenia. All the patients and controls were of the Japanese race. In the controls, representative Scatchard plots for the specific [3H]8-OH-DPAT bindings in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus revealed a single component of high affinity binding site (Kd value = 5.7 and 5.9 nM, Bmax value = 80.1 and 101.0 fmol/mg protein, respectively). The [3H]8-OH-DPAT bindings to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were potently inhibited by serotonin (IC50 = 6.3 x 10(-9) M) and 5-HT1A agonists (IC50 = 5.0 x 10(-9) - 2.3 x 10(-7) M), while other neurotransmitters, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 related compounds did not inhibit the binding (IC50 greater than 10(-5) M). The bindings were decreased in the presence of 0.1mM GTP and 0.1mM GppNHp but not in the presence of 0.1mM GMP. In the prefrontal and temporal cortices of schizophrenics, there was a significant increase in the specific [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding, by 40% and 60%, respectively, with no change in the hippocampus, amygdala, cingulum, motor cortex, parietal or occipital cortex, as compared to findings in the controls. Scatchard analysis showed that this increased binding reflects changes in the number of sites but not in the affinity. The effect of 0.1mM GppNHp on the binding to prefrontal cortex was observed in both controls and schizophrenic patients. The bindings were significantly greater in the schizophrenic patients than in controls, in the presence of 0.1mM GppNHp. Our findings suggest that there are GTP-sensitive 5-HT1A sites in the human brain and that selective increases in GTP-sensitive 5-HT1A sites in the prefrontal and temporal cortices of schizophrenics relate to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.     

Involvement of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in binding and actions of palytoxin on human erythrocytes

Palytoxin (about 1 pM) increases the permeability of human erythrocytes. We now report its radiolabeling with 125I, followed by affinity purification on porcine kidney membranes. The resulting ligand binds fast and reversibly to intact erythrocytes. The Kd from velocity and equilibrium measurements is 2 X 10(-11) M, and the number of binding sites about 200 per cell. Binding is promoted by divalent cations (Ca2+ greater than Sr2+ greater than Ba2+) and by borate. It is inhibited by K+ (IC50 2 mM), ouabain (IC50 3 X 10(-9) M) and ouabagenin (IC50 6 X 10(-6) M). Conversely, [3H]ouabain is displaced by the substances and concentrations mentioned, and also by palytoxin (Ki 3 X 10(-11) M). Dog erythrocytes, which are known to possess a very low (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, are resistant to and lack specific binding sites for palytoxin. Binding of 125I-palytoxin, like that of [3H]ouabain, depends on the state of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. ATP depletion decreases binding of both ligands to erythrocytes. Binding of 125I-palytoxin and [3H]ouabain to red cell stroma is partially restored by ATP. In contrast to [3H]ouabain, binding of 125I-palytoxin to red cell stroma is not promoted by Mg2+ and Pi. The data show that (a) all known promoters and inhibitors of palytoxin action on human red cells do so by enhancing or decreasing its binding, (b) (Na+ + K+)-ATPase serves as a receptor for palytoxin, and (c) the antagonism by ouabain is competitive at the receptor level. They support our previous hypothesis that palytoxin increases human erythrocyte permeability by formation of pores through (Na+ + K+)-ATPase or its close vicinity.     

A high affinity, highly selective ligand for the delta opioid receptor: [3H]-[D-Pen2, pCl-Phe4, d-Pen5]enkephalin

Binding characteristics of a new, conformationally constrained, halogenated enkephalin analogue, [3H]-[D-penicillamine2, pCl-Phe4, D-penicillamine5]enkephalin ([3H]pCl-DPDPE), were determined using homogenized rat brain tissue. Saturation binding studies at 25 degrees C determined a dissociation constant (Kd) of 328 +/- 27.pM and a receptor density (Bmax) of 87.2 +/- 4.2 fmol/mg protein. Kinetic studies demonstrated biphasic association for [3H]pCl-DPDPE, with association rate constants of 5.05 x 10(8) +/- 2.5 x 10(8) and 0.147 +/- 10(8) +/- 0.014 x 10(8) M-1 min-1. Dissociation was monophasic with a dissociation rate constant of 2.96 x 10(-3) +/- 0.25 x 10(-3) min-1. The average Kd values determined by these kinetic studies were 8.4 +/- 2.7 pM and 201 +/- 4 pM. Competitive inhibition studies demonstrated that [3H]pCl-DPDPE has excellent selectively for the delta opioid receptor. [3H]pCl-DPDPE binding was inhibited by low concentrations of ligands selective for delta opioid receptor relative to the concentrations required by ligands selective for mu and kappa sites. These data show that [3H]pCl-DPDPE is a highly selective, high affinity ligand which should be useful in characterizing the delta opioid receptor.     

Studies on the differentiation of the retina receptor cell of toad (Bufo raddei Strauch)

The development of the retinal receptor cell in the young tadpoles (Bufo raddei Strauch), from the stage 20 to the stage 25, was studied by TEM and immunohistochemical method. The morphological differentiation of the photoreceptor cell may be described as follows. The time and the degree of differentiation of the cells in the tadpole retina is asynchronous between central (posterior pole) and peripheral parts of the tadpole retina, namely, they are earlier and higher in the central than in the peripheral. The cells of the outer nuclear layer are undifferentiated at the stage 20. The cells in the posterior part of the retina elongate at the beginning of the stage 21 (Plate I, Fig. 1). This is the first sign of differentiation in the photoreceptor cell. A small hillock-like process forms the inner segment at the scleral pole of the receptor cell. The inner segment is rich in mitochondria, rough-surfaced cytomembrane, free ribosomes, and vesicles. One or two large lipid droplets are also found in the inner segment (Plate I Fig. 2-3). Later on, the connecting structure develops at the tip of the inner segment. The newly formed filaments and the plasma membrane form the outer segment. Its membrane forms some evaginations oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the receptor cell. In this way, disks of the outer segment are formed (Plate I Fig. 4-5). The length of the outer segment gradually increases with the number of disks increasing at the base. At the same time, an axon process of receptor cell, extending vitreal, develops synapses with dendrites of the bipolar cell in the outer plexiform layer. At the beginning (the stage 22), the synaptic structure is an immature form that lacks synaptic ribbons and vesicles (Plate II Fig. 8). Later on, ribbons and vesicles are observed in the further developed synaptic structure (Plate II Fig. 9). The toad rhodopsin was prepared by a method of Dewey et al. (1969) and Papermaster & Dreyer (1974) with slight modification. A specific immune serum against the toad rhodopsin was produced in rabbits. Using the indirect Coon's antibody technique, the localization of the rhodopsin antibody and the time when the antibody was seen in the retina of the early developing tadpoles was traced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Study of the receptor for black widow spider neurotoxin. II. Isolation and characteristics of the receptor from bovine brain membranes

Biospecific sorbents for isolation of the latrotoxin receptor have been obtained and studied. Binding of the receptor components solubilized from the bovine cerebral cortex membrane to the immobilized toxin critically depends on the presence of calcium ions and the solution ionic strength. The procedure for semipreparative isolation of the highly active receptor preparation with Kd = 9 x 10(-10) M and Bmax = 0.9 nmol/mg has been developed. Binding activity of the isolated receptor is inhibited by heating as well as by proteases and denaturing agents. According to electrophoretic analysis in the presence of SDS the receptor complex contains protein components of molecular mass 200, 160, 79, 43 kDa, the former two being glycoproteins.