Abstract
RNA binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS) is expressed exclusively in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina and can label all RGCs in normal retinas of mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, and monkeys, but its function in these cells is not known. As a result of the limited knowledge regarding RBPMS, we analyzed the expression of RBPMS in the retina of different mammalian species (humans, pigs, and rats), in various stages of development (neonatal and adult) and with different levels of injury (control, hypoxia, and organotypic culture or explants). In control conditions, RBPMS was localized in the RGCs somas in the ganglion cell layer, whereas in hypoxic conditions, it was localized in the RGCs dendrites in the inner plexiform layer. Such differential distributions of RBPMS occurred in all analyzed species, and in adult and neonatal retinas. Furthermore, we demonstrate RBPMS localization in the degenerating RGCs axons in the nerve fiber layer of retinal explants. This is the first evidence regarding the possible transport of RBPMS in response to physiological damage in a mammalian retina. Therefore, RBPMS should be further investigated in relation to its role in axonal and dendritic degeneration.
Highlights
RNA binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS), called HERMES, is a conserved RNA binding protein with a single RNA recognition motif (RRM)
RBPMS is only abundantly expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina and was used as an RGC specific marker to differentiate RGCs from other retinal neurons and non-neuronal cells [1,2]
Recent studies have revealed that RBPMS can label all RGCs in the normal retinas of mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, and monkeys [5,6]
Summary
RNA binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS), called HERMES, is a conserved RNA binding protein with a single RNA recognition motif (RRM). The eyes were kept for 24 hh iinn aaCCOO22--indeeppeennddeenntt mmeeddiiuumm aatt 44 °◦CC as a model of hypoxia and the expression of RBPMS in retinas from adult pigs and rats; these were observed in control and under hypoxic conditions. In control conditions, both pig and rat retinal sections RBPMS was localized in the somas of RGCs (Figure 2A,C). As a result of the importance of RBPMS in development, the expression of RBPMS was analyzed in neonatal and adult pig retinas in order to compare if the localization of RBPMS in RGCs could be different depending on the age of the animal. These characteristic distributions of RBPMS in RGCs suggest that RBPMS could be an excellent marker for RGCs during degeneration
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