Chapter 19 Nitric oxide and the developmental remodeling of retinal connections in the brain

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The chapter focuses on the nitric oxide (NO) and the development remoting of retinal connections in the brain. The involvement of the postsynaptic cells with changes in the connections of retinal axons suggests that the postsynaptic neurons communicate retrogradely with the axons. This retrograde signal in some way instructs the axons as to their proper connections. The nature of this retrograde signal is not known, but recent studies suggest that NO is involved. NO has characteristics that could allow it to function as a retrograde messenger in the developing visual system. In some brain cells, when N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate, NO is synthesized and released. NO is a soluble gas and can diffuse across cell membranes without vesicle mediated release. In certain cells NO causes an increase in cyclic guanosine 3’, 5’-monophosphate levels. Retinal ganglion cells express a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-gated calcium channel responsive to NO suggesting that ganglion cells may respond to NO with an increase in intracellular calcium levels. An increase in intracellular calcium concentration has been shown to influence the extension and retraction of axons, activities that are essential to the refinement process.

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