Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T05:56:36.612Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Contributions of AMPA- and kainate-sensitive receptors to the photopic electroretinogram of the Xenopus retina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2001

T. SZIKRA
Affiliation:
MTA-ELTE Neurobiology Group, Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York
P. WITKOVSKY
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, New York University School of Medicine, New York Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, New York University School of Medicine, New York

Abstract

The effects of kainate receptor-preferring glutamate ligands were tested on the electroretinogram (ERG) of the Xenopus retina. Kainate, domoic acid, and 5-iodowillardiine (20–100 μM) acted similarly in every respect. They increased peak amplitudes of the ERG a-, b-, and d-waves significantly over controls. The AMPA-specific antagonist, GYKI 53655, prevented a kainate-induced increase in ERG a- and d-waves, but was without effect on an increase in the b-wave. Once the effect of agonist on the b-wave had peaked, the ERG began to subside, leading to its nearly complete disappearance within 20 min. Prior exposure to GYKI followed by a combination of GYKI + agonist did not significantly slow the rate of b-wave disappearance. Our results indicate that (1) AMPA receptors contribute to ERG a- and d-waves. (2) The kainate-evoked increase in ERG a-, b-, and d-waves probably results, in part, from an excitotoxic swelling of inner retinal processes. (3) The inner retina has a population of GYKI-resistant, kainate-sensitive receptors which may contribute to b-wave generation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)