Retinal Ganglion Cells with Distinct Directional Preferences Differ in Molecular Identity, Structure, and Central Projections

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0907-11.2011
• Publication Date: 2011-05-25T16:49:08Z
• Authors: Jeremy N. Kay; Irina De la Huerta; In-Jung Kim; Yifeng Zhang; Masahito Yamagata; Monica W. Chu; Markus Meister; Joshua R. Sanes
• Keywords: Retinal Ganglion Cells; 570; 0303 health sciences; Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; Motion Perception; Mice, Transgenic; Dendrites; Cadherins; Axons; Retina; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Visual Pathways; Photic Stimulation

The retina contains ganglion cells (RGCs) that respond selectively to objects moving in particular directions. Individual members of a group ON-OFF direction-selective RGCs (ooDSGCs) detect stimuli one four directions: ventral, dorsal, nasal, or temporal. Despite this physiological diversity, little is known about subtype-specific differences structure, molecular identity, and projections. To seek such differences, we characterized mouse transgenic lines mark ooDSGCs preferring ventral nasal motion as well line marks both ventral- dorsal-preferring subsets. We then used the identify cell surface molecules, including Cadherin 6, CollagenXXVα1, Matrix metalloprotease 17, are expressed by distinct subsets ooDSGCs. also neuropeptide, CART (cocaine- amphetamine-regulated transcript), distinguishes all from other RGCs. Together, panel endogenous markers ooDSGC Patterns diversification occur before eye opening therefore experience independent. They may help explain how obtain inputs. demonstrate among their dendritic patterns within axonal projections brain. Differences indicate information different directions sent destinations.