J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2004 Sep;45(9):1554-1559.

Changes of beta-Adrenergic Receptor mRNA in the Visual Cortex and Superior Colliculus of Monocular Deprivated Rat

• Shim JH
• Seo SW
• Yoo JM

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the change of the Beta adrenergic system in the rat visual cortex and superior colliculus after visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development. METHODS: The changes of beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptor mRNA were investigated by using northern blot analysis in the rat visual cortex and superior colliculus. The right eyelid of visually deprived rat was sutured at the 10th postnatal days. After visual deprivation for 4 weeks, the rat were sacrificed and the visual cortex and superior colliculus tissues were removed for analysis. RESULTS: Beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptor mRNA expression was decreased in the contralateral visual cortex to the deprived eye. In the superior colliculus, beta 2 adrenergic receptor mRNA expression increased in both sides, but a much greater increase was shown in the ipsilateral superior colliculus than the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggests that visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development influences the beta adrenergic system in the rat visual cortex and superior colliculus.

Keyword

Beta adrenergic receptor mRNA; Northern blot analysis; Superior colliculus; Visual cortex; Visual deprivation

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blotting, Northern
Critical Period (Psychology)
Eyelids
Rats*
Receptors, Adrenergic
RNA, Messenger*
Superior Colliculi*
Visual Cortex*
RNA, Messenger
Receptors, Adrenergic