Cullin5 reduces retinal cell death induced by glutamate toxicity.

PURPOSE:To investigate the expression in the mouse retina and the function in a retinal cell of cullin5 that is known as a protein that is associated with ubiquitilation. METHODS:The retinal sites of expressing cullin5 were determined by immunohistochemistry with a specific antibody for cullin5. Retinal cells were transfected with HA-tagged cullin5 using an adenovirus system, and retinal cells were exposed to L-glutamate with or without an over-expression of cullin5. RESULTS:Cullin5 was expressed in the retina of C57BL/6N mice and the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGL) of retina was strongly immunostained. Further, cullin5 was localized in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC). An over-expression of cullin5 reduced the percentage of retinal cell deaths induced by L-glutamate. CONCLUSIONS:The expression of cullin5 on retinal cells and reduction in the percentage of dead retinal cells induced by L-glutamate suggest that cullin5 has neuroprotective properties in retinal cells.

KEYWORDS: {{ getKeywords(articleDetailText.words) }}