Function of cone and cone-related pathways in CaV1.4 IT mice

Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 1;11(1):2732. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82210-7.

Abstract

CaV1.4 L-type calcium channels are predominantly expressed in photoreceptor terminals playing a crucial role for synaptic transmission and, consequently, for vision. Human mutations in the encoding gene are associated with congenital stationary night blindness type-2. Besides rod-driven scotopic vision also cone-driven photopic responses are severely affected in patients. The present study therefore examined functional and morphological changes in cones and cone-related pathways in mice carrying the CaV1.4 gain-of function mutation I756T (CaV1.4-IT) using multielectrode array, patch-clamp and immunohistochemical analyses. CaV1.4-IT ganglion cell responses to photopic stimuli were seen only in a small fraction of cells indicative of a major impairment in the cone pathway. Though cone photoreceptors underwent morphological rearrangements, they retained their ability to release glutamate. Our functional data suggested a postsynaptic cone bipolar cell defect, supported by the fact that the majority of cone bipolar cells showed sprouting, while horizontal cells maintained contacts with cones and cone-to-horizontal cell input was preserved. Furthermore a reduction of basal Ca2+ influx by a calcium channel blocker was not sufficient to rescue synaptic transmission deficits caused by the CaV1.4-IT mutation. Long term treatments with low-dose Ca2+ channel blockers might however be beneficial reducing Ca2+ toxicity without major effects on ganglion cells responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / genetics
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / metabolism*
  • Cell Shape / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology
  • Visual Pathways / physiology*

Substances

  • Cacna1f protein, mouse
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type