Distribution of R-cognin and choline acetyltransferase in the ganglion cell layer of developing chick neural retina.

Retina cognin, a cell membrane glycoprotein which mediates cell-cell recognition and adhesion in vitro, is initially present throughout the retina and becomes confined to the ganglion cell layer at 14-15 days of embryogenesis. Within this layer it is found on membranes of virtually all ganglion and displaced amacrine cells, but not on membranes of retinal glial cells (Müller fibers) which traverse this layer. The distribution of cognin as determined by immunocytochemistry is described and compared with that of choline acetyltransferase. The significance of cognin as a possible address marker during development of neural retina is discussed.