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Abstract #24530 Published in IGR 11-4
Differential expression of two glutamate transporters, GLAST and GLT-1, in an experimental rat model of glaucoma
Park CK; Cha J; Park SC; Lee PY; Kim JH; Kim HS; Kim SA; Kim I-B; Chun M-HExperimental Brain Research 2009; 197: 101-109
See also comment(s) by Makoto Aihara •
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the mammalian retina, and excessive glutamate has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. It is well known that glutamate transport, mainly via GLAST and GLT-1, is cardinal mechanism for maintaining glutamate homeostasis in normal and pathological conditions, including ischemia in the brain. In an effort to understand the role of glutamate and the glutamate regulation system of the retina in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, we examined changes in the expression of two glutamate transporters, GLAST and GLT-1, by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry in a rat glaucoma model. GLT-1 was expressed in cone photoreceptors and some cone bipolar cells and the levels of expression were significantly increased in the cauterized eyes throughout the entire experimental period. In contrast, GLAST expression, which occurred in Muller cells, the main retinal glial cells, remained stable during the experimental period. These results suggest that GLT-1 may be a prerequisite for the maintenance of glutamate homeostasis in the retina undergoing glaucoma.
I.-B. Kim. Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, 505 Banpo-dong, Socho-gu, Seoul 137-701, South Korea. ibkimmd@catholic.ac.kr
Classification:
3.5 Molecular biology incl. SiRNA (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
5.1 Rodent (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)