Glutamate uptake/metabolism in normal and RCS rat retina

Abstract

Purpose: We wanted to determine the glutamate uptake/metabolic pathways in the normal and degenerating (RCS) rat retina as well as apply modern imaging techniques. Methods: Adult retinas were dissected, placed into fixative or mounted on filter papers and incubated (1, 10 or 40 min) in saline containing 3H-glutamate. Glutamate metabolism was investigated in 'chase' experiments. After a 10 minute incubation (in physiological saline with 3H-glutamate) the retina was post-incubated in physiological saline. The tissue was processed, resin embedded, and serial sectioned for post-embedding silver-intensified immunogold detection of seven amino acids (glutamate, GABA, glycine, taurine, aspartate, g..