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Localization of cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase in the developing chick retina: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses
Author(s) -
Godbout Roseline,
Packer Mary,
Poppema Sibrand,
Dabbagh Laith
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0177(199603)205:3<319::aid-aja11>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - biology , retina , in situ hybridization , aldehyde dehydrogenase , ganglion cell layer , inner plexiform layer , ganglion , microbiology and biotechnology , inner nuclear layer , messenger rna , anatomy , biochemistry , neuroscience , gene
Cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) mRNA is present at high levels in theundifferentiated chick retina. Tissue maturation is accompanied by a 20–25×decrease in transcript levels. To determine the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of theALDH transcript and its encoded protein in the developing retina, in situ hybridization andimmunohistochemical analyses were carried out using chick embryos at different stages ofdevelopment. The ALDH transcript and protein were detected at the earliest stage tested, in theinner layer of the optic cup of stage 14 (day 2) embryos. Both the ALDH transcript and proteinwere found in the dorsal retina of chick embryos from stage 18 (day 3) to day 16 of incubation.Accumulation of the ALDH protein in the neurites of ganglion cells could readily be detected atearly developmental stages. Staining of this ganglion fiber layer was strong in the dorsal retinaand could be followed up to and into the optic nerve. By day 11, ALDH mRNA was locatedprimarily in the ciliary margin and in the inner nuclear layer of the dorsal retina. In addition tothese areas, the ALDH protein was also found in the inner plexiform and optic nerve fiber layers.These results suggest that environmental or transcriptional factors involved in the regulation ofthe ALDH gene are restricted to the dorsal retina at early developmental stages and that there isa requirement for the compartmentalization of the ALDH transcript/protein in the undifferentiatedchick retina. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.