Premium
SPACRCAN in the developing retina and pineal gland of the rat: Spatial and temporal pattern of gene expression and protein synthesis
Author(s) -
Foletta Victoria C.,
Nishiyama Kazutoshi,
Rayborn Mary E.,
Shadrach Karen G.,
Young W. Scott,
Hollyfield Joe G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.1035
Subject(s) - retina , pineal gland , in situ hybridization , immunocytochemistry , biology , retinal , pinealocyte , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , endocrinology , gene , neuroscience , biochemistry , melatonin
SPACRCAN is a hyaluronan‐binding proteoglycan that is present in the pineal gland and interphotoreceptor matrix of the retina. Here, we evaluate the pattern of SPACRCAN gene expression and protein appearance during retinal and pineal gland development in the rat. In situ hybridization histochemistry with SPACRCAN riboprobes indicates that hybridization signals are first evident in the retina over developing photoreceptor cells at embryonic day 16 (E16) and in the pineal gland at E21. Immunocytochemistry using a SPACRCAN antibody shows localization of SPACRCAN protein in the developing interphotoreceptor matrix by Postnatal day 5 (P5) and in the pineal gland by P6. These studies suggest that SPACRCAN mRNA expression may occur substantially earlier than the time when SPACRCAN protein is detectable in both the retina and the pineal gland. The period of retinal histogenesis when SPACRCAN is detected first is coincident with the time photoreceptors begin to extend from the outer retinal surface, suggesting that SPACRCAN may participate in the maturation and maintenance of the light‐sensitive photoreceptor outer segment. J. Comp. Neurol. 435:354–365, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.