Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir4.1

Title: Diversity of aquaporin mRNA expressed by rat and human retinas.

Authors: Solveig Tenckhoff, Margrit Hollborn, Leon Kohen, Sebastian Wolf, Peter Wiedemann, Andreas Bringmann

Journal, date & volume: Neuroreport, 2005 Jan 19 , 16, 53-6

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15618890

Abstract
Muller glial cells of the sensory retina mediate K+ and water fluxes that are facilitated by aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels and by Kir4.1-K+ channels. However, it is not known which subtypes of aquaporins are expressed in the mammalian retina. Using RT-PCR, we found that both human and rat retinas express mRNA for a diversity of water channel proteins. The human retina expresses mRNAs for AQP0 to AQP12 proteins. Using real-time PCR, we found that the mRNAs for AQP4 and Kir4.1 are downregulated in retinas that were obtained from patients with proliferative retinopathy compared with post-mortem controls. The data suggest that the development of proliferative gliosis is accompanied by disturbed transglial water and ion movements.