Ultracytochemical study on in vitro differentiation of neural retinal cells of chick embryos

In order to study cell differentiation and morphogenesis of neural retina, ultracytochemical examination for acetylcholine esterase (AChE) was carried out on neural retinal cells from 6-day-old chick embryos cultured in monolayer for 20 days. AChE is a suitable marker for identifying cell specificity and structure of cultured neural retinal cells, because its specific localization in the intact chick neural retina has been established. After about 2 weeks of culturing a number of cell aggregates formed on the monolayer sheet of glial cells, in which cell bodies were generally located on the periphery regions while their cellular processes were in the center, forming neuropil structures. Among such peripherally located cells presumptive ganglion, amacrine, bipolar, and photoreceptor cells could be distinguished. In the neuropil structures, some cellular processes had typical ribbon synapses indicating that these structures correspond to the plexiform layers of the retina. We could also classify the neuropils into two types of both from the AChE activity and from the structure of the nerve terminals. These findings indicate that our cell culture system can be used for the study of cell differentiation and histogenesis of retinal cells.     

An ultrastructural study of embryonic chick retinal neurons in culture

Summary The differentiation of cells and synapses in explants of 9-day-old chick embryo retina has been studied by light and electron microscopy over a period of 35 days in vitro, and samples of retina from the 9-day chick foetus were directly fixed and prepared for study.At the time of explantation the retinae were poorly differentiated and no lamination was apparent. From day 14 onwards, (i) outer and inner nuclear layers (ONL, INL) separated by a layer of neuropil corresponding to the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and (ii) a layer of scattered large ganglion cells separated from the INL by a zone of neuropil resembling the inner plexiform layer (IPL) were apparent, and (iii) a well-differentiated outer limiting membrane was established close to the surface of the explants. In the oldest cultures some development of photoreceptor outer segments occurred but a distinct optic nerve fibre layer did not form.Although cell identification presented problems even in the oldest cultures, the major retinal cell types described in vivo could be identified. Photoreceptor cells developed pedicles in the OPL which became filled with synaptic vesicles and synaptic ribbons and established ribbon synapses (including triads) with and were commonly invaginated by processes from horizontal and bipolar cells. Processes of bipolar cells in the IPL formed simple and dyad synapses. At least two types of presynaptic amacrine cells were also identified in the INL, one of which contained large numbers of dense-core vesicles. The ganglion cells, though sparse, were large and well differentiated.These findings show that all the major neuronal types of the retina are capable of developing and differentiating in vitro, lagging behind the time-table of development and differentiation in vivo by approximately 7 days, but resulting in a histotypically organised retina with synaptic neuropil showing many similarities to the corresponding neuropil in vivo.     

Midkine-a Protein Localization in the Developing and Adult Retina of the Zebrafish and Its Function During Photoreceptor Regeneration

Midkine is a heparin binding growth factor with important functions in neuronal development and survival, but little is known about its function in the retina. Previous studies show that in the developing zebrafish, Midkine-a (Mdka) regulates cell cycle kinetics in retinal progenitors, and following injury to the adult zebrafish retina, mdka is strongly upregulated in Müller glia and the injury-induced photoreceptor progenitors. Here we provide the first data describing Mdka protein localization during different stages of retinal development and during the regeneration of photoreceptors in adults. We also experimentally test the role of Mdka during photoreceptor regeneration. The immuno-localization of Mdka reflects the complex spatiotemporal pattern of gene expression and also reveals the apparent secretion and extracellular trafficking of this protein. During embryonic retinal development the Mdka antibodies label all mitotically active cells, but at the onset of neuronal differentiation, immunostaining is also localized to the nascent inner plexiform layer. Starting at five days post fertilization through the juvenile stage, Mdka immunostaining labels the cytoplasm of horizontal cells and the overlying somata of rod photoreceptors. Double immunolabeling shows that in adult horizontal cells, Mdka co-localizes with markers of the Golgi complex. Together, these data are interpreted to show that Mdka is synthesized in horizontal cells and secreted into the outer nuclear layer. In adults, Mdka is also present in the end feet of Müller glia. Similar to mdka gene expression, Mdka in horizontal cells is regulated by circadian rhythms. After the light-induced death of photoreceptors, Mdka immuonolabeling is localized to Müller glia, the intrinsic stem cells of the zebrafish retina, and proliferating photoreceptor progenitors. Knockdown of Mdka during photoreceptor regeneration results in less proliferation and diminished regeneration of rod photoreceptors. These data suggest that during photoreceptor regeneration Mdka regulates aspects of injury-induced cell proliferation.     

Reorganization of horizontal cell processes in the developing FVB/N mouse retina

We investigated the morphological changes of horizontal cells after postnatal photoreceptor degeneration in the developing FVB/N mouse retina, using immunocytochemistry with anti-calbindin D-28K. From postnatal day 14 (P14) onwards, processes emerging from horizontal cells descend into the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and ramify mainly in stratum 1 of the IPL. Electron microscopy revealed that the descending processes make synaptic contacts with bipolar cells in the outer plexiform layer. Our results clearly demonstrate that loss of photoreceptor cells induces the reorganization of horizontal cell processes in the retinas of FVB/N mice as they mature.     

Differential expression of syntaxin-1 and synaptophysin in the developing and adult human retina

Synaptophysin and syntaxin-1 are membrane proteins that associate with synaptic vesicles and presynaptic active zones at nerve endings, respectively. The former is known to be a good marker of synaptogenesis; this aspect, however, is not clear with syntaxin-1. In this study, the expression of both proteins was examined in the developing human retina and compared with their distribution in postnatal to adult retinas, by immunohistochemistry. In the inner plexiform layer, both were expressed simultaneously at 11–12 weeks of gestation, when synaptogenesis reportedly begins in the central retina. In the outer plexiform layer, however, the immunoreactivities were prominent by 16 weeks of gestation. Their expression in both plexiform layers followed a centre-to-periphery gradient. The immunoreactivities for both proteins were found in the immature photoreceptor, amacrine and ganglion cells; however, synaptophysin was differentially localized in bipolar cells and their axons, and syntaxin was present in some horizontal cells. In postnatal-to-adult retinas, synaptophysin immunoreactivity was prominent in photoreceptor terminals lying in the outer plexiform layer; on the contrary, syntaxin-1 was present in a thin immunoreactive band in this layer. In the inner plexiform layer, however, both were homogeneously distributed. Our study suggests that (i) syntaxin-1 appears in parallel with synapse formation; (ii) synaptogenesis in the human retina might follow a centre-to-periphery gradient; (iii) syntaxin-1 is likely to be absent from ribbon synapses of the outer plexiform layer, but may occur at presynaptic terminals of photoreceptor and horizontal cells, as is apparent from its localization in these cells, which is hitherto unreported for any vertebrate retina.     

Calretinin and calbindin in the retina of the developing chick

Summary Calretinin and calbindin-D28k are two calcium-binding proteins that are present in largely different sets of nerve cells in the central nervous system. Their appearance during development of the chick retina was studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blots. The patterns are mature one day before hatching. Each cell type acquires its characteristic calcium-binding protein several days after its differentiation has started, but in most cases before morphological maturation is complete. There is also an early phase of calbindin immunoreactivity in many immature amacrine cells, and of calretinin immunoreactivity in the presumptive photoreceptor layer, suggesting that these proteins may have distinct functions in differentiating cells.Abbreviations CR+ Immunoreactive for calretinin only - CB+ immunoreactive for calbindin only - CR+CB+ immunoreactive for both antisera - IPL inner plexiform layer - OPL outer plexiform layer     

Embryonic appearance of rod opsin in the urodele amphibian eye

Notophthalmus (Triturus) viridescens, a urodele amphibian (newt) common to the Eastern United States, is a promising subject for developmental and regeneration studies. We have available a monoclonal antibody shown to be specific in many vertebrates for rod opsin, the membrane apoprotein of the visual pigment rhodopsin. This antibody to an N-terminal epitope, by rigorous biochemical and immunological criteria, recognizes only rod photoreceptor cells of the retina in light-and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. To determine the ontogeny and localization of rhodopsin in developing rods as an indicator of function in the embryonic urodele retina, we have utilized this antibody in the immunofluorescence technique on sections of developing N. viridescens. It was applied to serial sections of the eye region of Harrison stage 28 (optic vesicle) through stage 43 (most adult retina histology complete) embryos, and subsequently visualized with biotinylated species antibody followed by extravidin fluorescein isothiocyanate. The first positive reaction to rhodopsin could be detected in two to four cells (total) of the stage 37 embryonic eye, in the region of the central retinal primordium where the photoreceptors will be found. Some indications of retinal outer nuclear and inner plexiform layers could be seen at this time. Later embryonic stages demonstrated increasing numbers of positive cells in the future photoreceptor outer nuclear layer and outer and inner segments, spreading even to the peripheral retina. Nevertheless, by stale 43, no positive cells could be found at the dorsal or ventral retinal margins. Thus, biochemical differentiation of a photoreceptor population in the urodele retina occurs at a stage before retinal histogenesis is complete. The total maturation of retinal rods occurs topographically over a long period until the adult distribution is achieved. Correspondence to: D.S. McDevitt     

Distribution of protein kinase C immunoreactivity in rat retina

Summary A polyclonal antiserum to protein kinase C has been used to study the distribution of the enzyme antigenic sites in rat retina. The results indicate that the kinase is concentrated in photoreceptor outer segments as well as in the outer and inner plexiform layers. In identified components of retinal neuronal circuits, the kinase immunoreactivity is present in photoreceptor presynaptic terminals, in bipolar cell dendrites and axons, and probably in bipolar cell presynaptic terminals impinging on retinal ganglion cell dendrites. Thus, protein kinase C is positioned to play a role in specialized compartments of photoreceptor membrane and at both pre- and postsynaptic levels in the function of retinal neuronal circuits. Label in the nucleus is observed in retinal ganglion cells, but not bipolar or horizontal cells and probably not in amacrine cells. A role for protein kinase C in neuronal function at the level of the cell nucleus is therefore not likely to be universal, but to be determined by the particular properties of individual neuronal types.     

Endothelin receptors in light-induced retinal degeneration

Excessive light exposure leads to retinal degeneration in albino animals and exacerbates the rate of photoreceptor apoptosis in several retinal diseases. In previous studies we have described the presence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors (ET-A and ET-B) in different sites of the mouse retina, including the retinal pigment epithelium, the outer plexiform layer (OPL), astrocytes, the ganglion cell layer (GCL), and vascular endothelia. After light-induced degeneration of photoreceptors, endothelinergic structures disappear from the OPL, but ET-1 and ET-B immunoreactivities increase in astrocytes. Here, we present novel observations about the course of light-induced retinal degeneration in BALB-c mice exposed to 1500 lux during 4 days with or without treatment with tezosentan, a mixed endothelinergic antagonist. Retinal whole mounts were immunostained with anticleaved caspase-3 (CC-3) serum to identify apoptotic photoreceptor cells within the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Glial activation was measured as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in retinal whole mounts and in Western blots from retinal extracts. Tezosentan treatment significantly reduced both the number of CC3-immunoreactive cells and GFAP levels, suggesting that inhibition of endothelinergic receptors could play a role in photoreceptor survival. Using confocal double immunofluorescence, we have observed that ET-A seems to be localized in bipolar cell dendrites, whereas ET-B is localized in horizontal cells. Our observations suggest the existence of an endothelinergic mechanism modulating synaptic transmission in the OPL. This mechanism could perhaps explain the effects of tezosentan treatment on photoreceptor survival.     

Target cells of vitamin D in the vertebrate retina

Using PAP technique, cellular localization of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (D-CaBP) was investigated in vertebrate retina with monospecific antisera against chick duodenal D-CaBP. In the chick retina, the receptor cells were positive. In the inner nuclear layer, horizontal cells and some bipolar cells were also positive. Some amacrine cells as well as different levels of the inner plexiform layer were also positive for D-CaBP. A few interspersed ganglion cells were positive but their axons forming the optic tract were negative. Müller's cells were negative. In 1-day-old chicks and 4-week-old rachitic chicks there was paucity and absence, respectively, of D-CaBP staining in horizontal cells. In the mouse, rat, and rabbit the receptors had only trace amounts of reaction product in their outer segment and pedicle. Horizontal cells were densely positive throughout their cellular body and processes. Some amacrine cells in the inner nuclear layer were positive. In the mouse and rat three horizontal levels of the outer plexiform layer were very prominent because of their dense staining for D-CaBP. Many ganglion cells were also positive along with their axons forming the optic nerve. In the rabbit, no positive layers were seen in the inner plexiform layer, and ganglion cells with their fibers were negative. In the frog retina there were smaller amounts of D-CaBP in the receptor cells and horizontal cells than that of the chick retina. Also, the fibers of the ganglionic cells were positive for D-CaBP. In all species studied, some amacrine cells were stained for D-CaBP. Because of its possible roles in membrane calcium transport and intracellular Ca++ regulation, it has perhaps similar functions in these positive cells. The synthesis of D-CaBP is dependent upon vitamin D. These positive cells are thus target cells of vitamin D.     

Calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase: immunocytochemical localization in chick retina

Calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, previously called CaM-BP80 or calcineurin, is present in high concentrations in the central nervous system. The level of the phosphatase has been shown by radioimmunoassay to increase during development in the retinas of embryonic and hatching chicks (Tallant, E.A., and W.Y. Cheung, 1983, Biochemistry, 22:3630-3635). The aims of this study are to immunocytochemically localize the phosphatase in developing and mature retinas and to determine if the phosphatase is present in fractions of retinal synaptic membranes and synaptic junctions. Vibratome slices of fixed chick retina and Western blots of detergent-solubilized retinal fractions are both treated sequentially with rabbit primary antisera and goat anti-rabbit Fab fragments conjugated to peroxidase, and then reacted with hydrogen peroxide and diaminobenzidine. The tissue slices are further processed for electron microscopy. This paper demonstrates the presence of peroxidase reaction product in the retina just before synapse formation. In the outer plexiform layer the product is confined to photoreceptor synaptic terminals, whereas in the inner plexiform layer it is present in synaptic terminals of bipolar cells and in dendrites of ganglion cells. In this latter site the product is present postsynaptically at bipolar and amacrine synapses. The phosphatase is detected in Western blots of both synaptic plasma membrane and synaptic junction fractions.     

Cadherin is required for dendritic morphogenesis and synaptic terminal organization of retinal horizontal cells

Dendrite morphology of neurons provides a structural basis for their physiological characteristics, and is precisely regulated in a cell type-dependent manner. Using a unique transposon-mediated gene transfer system that enables conditional and cell-type specific expression of exogenous genes, we investigated the role of cadherin on dendritic morphogenesis of horizontal cells in the developing chicken retina. We first visualized single horizontal cells by overexpressing membrane-targeted EGFP, and confirmed that there were three subtypes of horizontal cells, the dendritic terminals of which projected to distinct synaptic sites in the outer plexiform layer. Expression of a dominant-negative cadherin decreased the dendritic field size, and perturbed the termination of dendritic processes onto the photoreceptor cells. The cadherin blockade also impaired the accumulation of GluR4, a postsynaptic marker, at the cone pedicles. We thus provide in vivo evidence that cadherin is required for dendrite morphogenesis of horizontal cells and subsequent synapse formation with photoreceptor cells in the vertebrate retina.     

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.     

Displaced horizontal cells in the chick retina

The retina of the chick contains retinal cells of a morphology very similar to that of the horizontal cells, but the perikarya, axons, and axon terminals lie in the inner plexiform layer. The discovery of this neuronal ectopia appears to support the idea that some horizontal and amacrine cells derive from a common, freely migrating cell.     

Intramembrane organization of specialized contacts in the outer plexiform layer of the retina. A freeze-fracture study in monkeys and rabbits

Freeze-fracture analysis of the neural connections in the outer plexiform layer of the retina of primates (Macaca mulatta and Macaca arctoides) demonstrates a remarkable diversity in the internal structure of the synaptic membranes. In the invaginating synapses of cone pedicles, the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor ending contains an aggregate of A-face particles, a hexagonal array of synaptic vesicle sites, and rows of coated vesicle sites, which are deployed in sequence from apex to base of the synaptic ridge. The horizontal cell dendrites lack vesicle sites and have two aggregates of intramembrane A-face particles, one at the interface with the apex of the synaptic ridge, the other opposite the tip of the invaginating midget bipolar dendrite. Furthermore, the horizontal cell dendrites are interconnected by a novel type of specialized junction, characterized by: (a) enlarged intercellular cleft, bisected by a dense plate and traversed by uniformly spaced crossbars; (b) symmetrical arrays of B-face particles arranged in parallel rows within the junctional membranes; and (c) a layer of dense material on the cytoplasmic surface of the membranes. The plasmalemma of the invaginating midget bipolar dendrite is unspecialized. At the contact region between the basal surface of cone pedicles and the dendrites of the flat midget and diffuse cone bipolar cells, the pedicle membrane has moderately clustered A-face particles, but no vesicle sites, whereas the adjoining membrane of the bipolar dendrites contains an aggregate of B-face particles. The invaginating synapse of rod spherules differs from that of cone pedicles, because the membrane of the axonal endings of the horizontal cells only has an A-face particle aggregate opposite the apex of the synaptic ridge. Specialized junctions between horizontal cell processes, characterized by symmetrical arrays of intramembrane B-face particles, are also present in the neuropil underlying the photoreceptor endings. Small gap junctions connect the processes of the horizontal cells; other gap junctions probably connect the bipolar cell dendrites which make contact with each cone pedicle. Most of the junctional specializations typical of the primate outer plexiform layer are also found in the rabbit retina. The fact that specialized contacts between different types of neurons interacting in the outer plexiform layer have specific arrangements of intramembrane particles strongly suggests that the internal structure of the synaptic membranes is intimately correlated with synaptic function.     

Changes of lysosomal enzymes during hereditary degeneration and histogenesis of retina in mice

Summary In the normal histogenesis of mouse retina localized distribution of acid phosphatase positive granules has been seen around the photoreceptor cell nuclei along the outer limiting membrane. These granules disappear during the development of the rod elements. Temporarily increased activity is also seen along the nuclei of the inner layer adjacent to and in the course of the development of the outer and the inner plexiform layers. Within the inner nuclear layer, the cells at the outer and inner rows develop localized acid phosphatase positive granules which persist in the adult retina. Ganglion cells and the layer of nerve fibres show little change. In the pigment epithelium the enzyme gradually increases. In mice, homozygous for the retinal degeneration gene, degenerating photoreceptor cell nuclei, characterized by perinuclear acid phosphatase staining, can be detected before morphological signs of degeneration. Increased frequency of such nuclei and intensity of staining are recorded with the progress of degeneration. Enzyme activity in the photoreceptor cells, within the inner nuclear layer and in the degenerating photoreceptor cell nuclei is demonstrable using naphthol substrates but not -glycerophosphate. Positive reaction with -glycerophosphate is obtained in these sites in the presence of dimethyl sulphoxide. Existence of differential permeability among the retinal lysosomes is tentatively suggested.     

Immunocytochemical Evidence of the Localization of the Crumbs Homologue 3 Protein (CRB3) in the Developing and Mature Mouse Retina

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).     

Spatiotemporal distribution of 1P1 antigen expression in the plexiform layers of developing chick retina

Changes in the distribution of 1P1-antigen in the developing chick retina have been examined by indirect immunofiuorescence staining technique using the novel monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1P1. Expression of the 1P1 antigen was found to be regulated in radial as well as in tangential dimension of the retina, being preferentially or exclusively located in the inner and outer plexiform layers of the neural retina depending on the stages of development. With the onset of the formation of the inner plexiform layer 1P1 antigen becomes expressed in the retina. With progressing differentiation of the inner plexiform layer 1P1 immunofiuorescence revealed 2 subbands at E9 and 6 subbands at E18. At postnatal stages (after P3) immunoreactivity was reduced in an inside-outside sequence leading to the complete absence of the 1P1 antigen in adulthood. 1P1 antigen expression in the outer plexiform layer was also subject to developmental regulation. The spatio-temporal pattern of 1P1 antigen expression was correlated with the time course of histological differentiation of chick retina, namely the synapse rich plexiform layers. Whether the 1P1 antigen was functionally involved in dendrite extension and synapse formation was discussed.     

Studies of the developing chick retina using monoclonal antibody 8A2 that recognizes a novel set of gangliosides

A monoclonal antibody, Mab 8A2, that recognizes a novel set of gangliosides was produced by immunizing a mouse with Embryonic Day 14 chick optic nerve. Immunohistochemical studies of the developing chick retina revealed a complex pattern of Mab 8A2 immunoreactivity. Initially, staining is concentrated in the optic fiber layer in the central retina. Later in development, the most intense staining is seen at the periphery of the retina and 8A2 immunoreactivity appears in other retina layers. In the adult retina, 8A2 immunoreactivity is lost from the optic fiber layer but persists in the inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, and outer plexiform layer. Cell culture experiments showed intense staining of neurites from retinal ganglion cells but no staining of Muller cells. Biochemical characterization of the epitope recognized by Mab 8A2 suggests that it includes a 9-O-acetyl group that is present on five different gangliosides. The 8A2 immunoreactive gangliosides are distinct from and have slower mobilities on thin-layer chromatographs than those recognized by Mab D1.1 which recognizes 9-O-acetyl GD3.     

Differential expression of connexins during histogenesis of the chick retina

Gap junction (GJ) channels couple adjacent cells, allowing transfer of second messengers, ions, and molecules up to 1 kDa. These channels are composed by a multigene family of integral membrane proteins called connexins (Cx). In the retina, besides being essential circuit element in the visual processing, GJ channels also play important roles during its development. Herein, we analyzed Cx43, Cx45, Cx50, and Cx56 expression during chick retinal histogenesis. Cx exhibited distinct expression profiles during retinal development, except for Cx56, whose expression was not detected. Cx43 immunolabeling was observed at early development, in the transition of ventricular zone and pigmented epithelium. Later, Cx43 was seen in the outer plexiform and ganglion cell layers, and afterwards also in the inner plexiform layer. We observed remarkable changes in the phosphorylation status of this protein, which indicated modifications in functional properties of this Cx during retinal histogenesis. By contrast, Cx45 showed stable gene expression levels throughout development and ubiquitous immunoreactivity in progenitor cells. From later embryonic development, Cx45 was mainly observed in the inner retina, and it was expressed by glial cells and neurons. In turn, Cx50 was virtually absent in the chick retina at initial embryonic phases. Combination of PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot indicated that this Cx was present in differentiated cells, arising in parallel with the formation of the visual circuitry. Characterization of Cx expression in the developing chick retina indicated particular roles for these proteins and revealed similarities and differences when compared to other species.