Expression and cellular localization of the voltage‐gated calcium channel α2δ3 in the rodent retina. Issue 10 (10th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez de Sevilla Müller, Luis; Sargoy, Allison; Fernández‐Sánchez, Laura; Rodriguez, Allen; Liu, Janelle; Cuenca, Nicolás; Brecha, Nicholas
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative neurology. Volume 523:Issue 10(2015:Jun. 15)
• Page Start: 1443
• Page End: 1460
• Publication Date: 2015-03-10
• Subjects: Comparative neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/cne.23751
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9967

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>High‐voltage‐activated calcium channels are hetero‐oligomeric protein complexes that mediate multiple cellular processes, including the influx of extracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup>, neurotransmitter release, gene transcription, and synaptic plasticity. These channels consist of a primary α<sub>1</sub> pore‐forming subunit, which is associated with an extracellular α<sub>2</sub>δ subunit and an intracellular β auxiliary subunit, which alter the gating properties and trafficking of the calcium channel. The cellular localization of the α<sub>2</sub>δ<sub>3</sub> subunit in the mouse and rat retina is unknown. In this study using RT‐PCR, a single band at ∼305 bp corresponding to the predicted size of the α<sub>2</sub>δ<sub>3</sub> subunit fragment was found in mouse and rat retina and brain homogenates. Western blotting of rodent retina and brain homogenates showed a single 123‐kDa band. Immunohistochemistry with an affinity‐purified antibody to the α<sub>2</sub>δ<sub>3</sub> subunit revealed immunoreactive cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer and immunoreactive processes in the inner plexiform layer and the outer plexiform layer. α<sub>2</sub>δ<sub>3</sub> immunoreactivity was localized to multiple cell types, including ganglion, amacrine, and bipolar cells and photoreceptors, but not horizontal cells. The expression of the α<sub>2</sub>δ<sub>3</sub> calcium channel subunit to multiple cell types suggests that this subunit participates widely in Ca‐channel‐mediated signaling in the retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1443–1460, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>