Search results for "photor"
showing 10 items of 340 documents
Influence of oxygen vacancies on the photorefractive effect in barium titanate single crystals
1990
Abstract In this work the influence of the vacancies concentration in pure BaTiO3 single crystals is studied. It is shown that the oxidation and the reduction do not change the electrooptic coefficients. The reduction modifies the nature of the majority carriers. An evaluation of the trap density N is done.
Conceptualization of relative size by honeybees
2014
The ability to process visual information using relational rules allows for decisions independent of the specific physical attributes of individual stimuli. Until recently, the manipulation of relational concepts was considered as a prerogative of large mammalian brains. Here we show that individual free flying honeybees can learn to use size relationship rules to choose either the larger or smaller stimulus as the correct solution in a given context, and subsequently apply the learnt rule to novel colors and shapes providing that there is sufficient input to the long wavelength (green) photoreceptor channel. Our results add a novel, size-based conceptual rule to the set of relational conce…
How Does the Eye Breathe?
2003
Visual performance of the vertebrate eye requires large amounts of oxygen, and thus the retina is one of the highest oxygen-consuming tissues of the body. Here we show that neuroglobin, a neuron-specific respiratory protein distantly related to hemoglobin and myoglobin, is present at high amounts in the mouse retina (approximately 100 microm). The estimated concentration of neuroglobin in the retina is thus about 100-fold higher than in the brain and is in the same range as that of myoglobin in the muscle. Neuroglobin is expressed in all neurons of the retina but not in the retinal pigment epithelium. Neuroglobin mRNA was detected in the perikarya of the nuclear and ganglion layers of the n…
Identification of a β-Dystroglycan Immunoreactive Subcompartment in Photoreceptor Terminals
2005
PURPOSE Mutations in the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. These diseases are characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle tissue and by dysfunctions in the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS deficits include an altered electroretinogram, caused by an impaired synaptic transmission between photoreceptors and their postsynaptic target cells in the outer plexiform layer (OPL). The DGC is concentrated in the OPL but its exact distribution is controversial. Therefore, the precise distribution of beta-dystroglycan, the central component of the DGC, within the OPL of the mature chick retina, was determined. METHODS Double immuno…
Separate processing of “color” and “brightness” in goldfish
1991
Spectral sensitivity was measured under different adaptation levels using a behavioral training technique in which the fish had to discriminate between a dark test field and a test field illuminated with monochromatic light. Depending on which of the two test fields was used as training test field, two functions were obtained which differ (1) in absolute sensitivity and (2) in shape. When trained on the dark test field, the fish seems to discriminate on the basis of a "color" cue, but it uses a "brightness" cue when trained on the illuminated test field. This was concluded from measurements of wavelength discrimination. Under low levels of the adaptation light (1.5 and 0.2 lx instead of 20 …
The mitotic spindle protein SPAG5/Astrin connects to the Usher protein network postmitotically
2011
Abstract Background Mutations in the gene for Usher syndrome 2A (USH2A) are causative for non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome, a condition that is the most common cause of combined deaf-blindness. To gain insight into the molecular pathology underlying USH2A-associated retinal degeneration, we aimed to identify interacting proteins of USH2A isoform B (USH2AisoB) in the retina. Results We identified the centrosomal and microtubule-associated protein sperm-associated antigen (SPAG)5 in the retina. SPAG5 was also found to interact with another previously described USH2AisoB interaction partner: the centrosomal ninein-like protein NINLisoB. Using In situ hybridization, we foun…
Disruption of the retinitis pigmentosa 28 gene Fam161a in mice affects photoreceptor ciliary structure and leads to progressive retinal degeneration.
2014
Mutations in the FAM161A gene were previously identified as the cause for autosomal-recessive retinitis pigmentosa 28. To study the effects of Fam161a dysfunction in vivo, we generated gene-trapped Fam161a(GT/GT) mice with a disruption of its C-terminal domain essential for protein-protein interactions. We confirmed the absence of the full-length Fam161a protein in the retina of Fam161a(GT/GT) mice using western blots and showed weak expression of a truncated Fam161a protein by immunohistochemistry. Histological analyses demonstrated that photoreceptor segments were disorganized in young Fam161a(GT/GT) mice and that the outer retina was completely lost at 6 months of age. Reactive microglia…
A key role for cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels in cGMP-related retinitis pigmentosa.
2011
The rd1 natural mutant is one of the first and probably the most commonly studied mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a severe and frequently blinding human retinal degeneration. In several decades of research, the link between the increase in photoreceptor cGMP levels and the extremely rapid cell death gave rise to a number of hypotheses. Here, we provide clear evidence that the presence of cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels in the outer segment membrane is the key to rod photoreceptor loss. In Cngb1(-/-) x rd1 double mutants devoid of regular CNG channels, cGMP levels are still pathologically high, but rod photoreceptor viability and outer segment morphology are greatly improve…
PRCD is concentrated at the base of photoreceptor outer segments and is involved in outer segment disc formation.
2019
Abstract Mutations of the PRCD gene are associated with rod-cone degeneration in both dogs and humans. Prcd is expressed in the mouse eye as early as embryonic day 14. In the adult mouse retina PRCD is expressed in the outer segments of both rod and cone photoreceptors. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that PRCD is located at the outer segment rim, and that it is highly concentrated at the base of the outer segment. Prcd-knockout mice present with progressive retinal degeneration, starting at 20 weeks of age and onwards. This process is reflected by a significant and progressive reduction of both scotopic and photopic electroretinographic responses, and by thinning of the retina, and spec…
Retinal neurodegenerative changes in the adult insulin receptor substrate-2 deficient mouse.
2014
Abstract Insulin receptor substrate-2 (Irs2) mediates peripheral insulin action and is essential for retinal health. Previous investigations have reported severe photoreceptor degeneration and abnormal visual function in Irs2-deficient mice. However, molecular changes in the Irs2 − / − mouse retina have not been described. In this study, we examined retinal degenerative changes in neuronal and glial cells of adult (9- and 12-week old) Irs2 − / − mice by immunohistochemistry. 9-week old Irs2 − / − mice showed significant thinning of outer retinal layers, concomitant to Muller and microglial cell activation. Photoreceptor cells displayed different signs of degeneration, such as outer/inner…