DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF GLYCINE RECEPTOR SUBUNITS IN THE RETINA OFTHE RAT - A STUDY USING IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to study the distribution of glycine receptor (GlyR) subunits and the GlyR-associat ed protein gephyrin in the rat retina. Monoclonal antibodies against t he alpha and beta subunits of the GlyR and gephyrin showed a strong pu nctate labeling pattern in the inner plexiform layer. Glycine receptor mRNAs were found in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell lay er. The alpha 1 subunit mRNA is predominantly present in the outer hal f of the INL and on some but not all ganglion cells. GlyR alpha 2 subu nit mRNA is predominantly present in the inner half of the INL and on nearly all cells in the ganglion cell layer. GlyR alpha 3-, GlyR beta- , and gephyrin-mRNAs are present in the entire INL and in cells in the ganglion cell layer. The differential expression of glycine receptor subunits indicates a functional diversity of glycine receptors in the retina.