DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF SOMATOSTATIN RECEPTORS IN THE RAT EYE - SSTR4 IS INTENSELY EXPRESSED IN THE IRIS CILIARY BODY/

Distribution of somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5) was determined in the rat eye. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) ana lyses revealed that SSTR4 and SSTR2 are major subtypes expressed predo minantly in the iris/ciliary body and retina, respectively, and that S STR1, SSTR3 and SSTR5 are minor subtypes expressed preferentially in t he posterior eye segments including the retina. In situ hybridization showed predominant SSTR4 expression in the posterior iris epithelium a nd ciliary body, suggesting functional roles of somatostatin in the au tonomic nervous system in the anterior segments of the eye. The differ ential expression of SSTR1-5 may be related to distinct roles of somat ostatin in the physiology of different ocular tissues. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd.