Cone Viability Is Affected by Disruption of Melatonin Receptors Signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Previous studies have demonstrated that melatonin has an important role in the modulation of photoreceptor viability during aging and may be involved in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.This hormone exerts its influence by binding to G-protein coupled receptors named melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) and 2 (MT2). Melatonin receptors 1 and 2 activate a wide variety of signaling pathways.

Methods

Melatonin-proficient mice (C3H/f+/+) and melatonin-proficient mice lacking MT1 or MT2 receptors (MT1-/- and MT2-/-) were used in this study. Mice were killed at the ages of 3 and 18 months, and photoreceptor viability was determined by counting nuclei number in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Cones were identified by immunohistochemistry using peanut agglutinin (PN

SUBMITTER: Gianesini C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4727519 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature