Localization of GABAA receptors in the rat retina

Abstract

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian retina. The present paper describes the localization of Gabaareceptors in the rat retina as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. In situ hybridization with probes against various a subunits revealed a marked differential expression pattern. The α1 subunit gene is expressed mainly in the bipolar and horizontal cell layer, the α2 gene in the amacrine and ganglion cell layer, and the α4 gene in a subpopulation of amacrine cells. β subunit mRNA is present diffusely throughout the entire inner nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer. The monoclonal antibody bd 17 (against β2/β3 subu..