Is taurine a neurotransmitter in rabbit retina?

Abstract

Rabbit retina was used as a model to study the possible role of taurine in the retina. The taurine-synthesizing enzyme, cysteine sulfinic acid decar☐ylase (CSAD), is localized immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against CSAD. The CSAD-immunoreactivity appears to be most prominent in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). The inner plexiform layer (IPL), the outer nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer are sporadically stained. The CSAD-positive neurons include some amacrine cells and probably the bipolar cells in the INL and some large and small ganglion cells in the GCL. Autoradiographic studies reveal that the uptake of [ 3H]taurine is most prominent in the INL. The IPL and GCL, as well as the Mu¨ller cells, also show a moderate degree of [ 3H]taurine accumulation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the presence of the taurine-synthesizing enzyme and uptake systems in rabbit retina. Based on the above evidence, we propose that taurine may be used by some neurons, presumably amacrine cells, as a transmitter in the rabbit retina.