Selective activation of mGluR8 receptors modulates retinal ganglion cell light responses

Neuroscience. 2010 Mar 31;166(3):935-41. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.01.027. Epub 2010 Jan 20.

Abstract

Extracellular and whole-cell light-evoked responses of mouse retinal ganglion cells were recorded in the presence of the mGluR8 selective agonist, (S)-3,4-dicarboxy-phenylglycine (DCPG). Off-light responses were reversibly reduced in the presence of DCPG in wild-type but not in mGluR8-deficient retinas. On-responses were only marginally modulated by DCPG. During Off-responses, DCPG suppressed both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic conductances suggesting that mGluR8 receptor activity reduces glutamate release from bipolar cell terminals and possibly also the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter from amacrine cell processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzoates / pharmacology*
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycine / pharmacology
  • Light*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / agonists*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / genetics
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / physiology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / physiology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / radiation effects*
  • Synaptic Potentials

Substances

  • 3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine
  • Benzoates
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • metabotropic glutamate receptor 8
  • Glycine