Abstract
pH variations in the retina are thought to be involved in the fine-tuning of visual perception. We show that both photoreceptors and neurons of the mouse retina express the H+-gated cation channel subunits acid-sensing ion channel 2a (ASIC2a) and ASIC2b. Inactivation of the ASIC2 gene in mice leads to an increase in the rod electroretinogram a- and b-waves and thus to an enhanced gain of visual transduction. ASIC2 knock-out mice are also more sensitive to light-induced retinal degeneration. We suggest that ASIC2 is a negative modulator of rod phototransduction, and that functional ASIC2 channels are beneficial for the maintenance of retinal integrity.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
-
Acid Sensing Ion Channels
-
Animals
-
Apoptosis / genetics
-
Blotting, Western
-
DNA Fragmentation / genetics
-
Degenerin Sodium Channels
-
Electroretinography / radiation effects
-
Epithelial Sodium Channels
-
In Situ Hybridization
-
Ion Channels / genetics
-
Ion Channels / metabolism*
-
Light / adverse effects*
-
Membrane Potentials / genetics
-
Membrane Potentials / physiology
-
Membrane Proteins / genetics
-
Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
-
Mice
-
Mice, Knockout
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
-
Neurons / metabolism
-
Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
-
Protein Isoforms / genetics
-
Protein Isoforms / metabolism
-
Retina / pathology
-
Retina / physiology*
-
Retina / radiation effects
-
Retinal Degeneration / etiology
-
Retinal Degeneration / metabolism*
-
Retinal Degeneration / pathology
-
Retinal Degeneration / prevention & control*
-
Sodium Channels / genetics
-
Sodium Channels / metabolism*
Substances
-
ASIC2 protein, mouse
-
Acid Sensing Ion Channels
-
Degenerin Sodium Channels
-
Epithelial Sodium Channels
-
Ion Channels
-
Membrane Proteins
-
Nerve Tissue Proteins
-
Protein Isoforms
-
Sodium Channels