Distribution of the small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins Rac1, Cdc42, RhoA and RhoB in the developing chick retina

J Neurocytol. 2002 Feb;31(2):149-59. doi: 10.1023/a:1023997506760.

Abstract

Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of Rac1, Cdc42, RhoA and RhoB GTPases during development of the chick retina. All proteins appear as early as embryonic day 5 (E5) in cells of the vitreal margin, E7-8 in cells of the inner third of the inner nuclear layer and E9-10 in photoreceptors. From E10 until hatching, RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 were seen in perikarya and/or processes of amacrine, ganglion cells, and photoreceptors. Rho proteins were also observed in retinal Müller cells, with different distributions. RhoB showed a transient expression, being severely down regulated after E18. The distribution pattern of Rho proteins during the development of the chick retina suggests a concerted role in the differentiation of specific cell types, and probably during synaptogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Retina / chemistry
  • Retina / embryology
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / biosynthesis
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / biosynthesis
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / biosynthesis
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein / biosynthesis
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein