Ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels are expressed by embryonic mouse retinal neurones.

The present study was intended to investigate whether voltage- and ligand-activated ion channels are expressed during prenatal development by neurones located in the ganglion cell layer of the mammalian retina. Whole cell patch clamp recordings from presumed mouse retinal ganglion cells revealed the expression of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ channels, predominantly of the low-voltage-activated type. Using local application of transmitter substances we further demonstrated that these cells are endowed with glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA type as well as nicotinic acetylcholine, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)A and glycine receptors. Voltage-gated conductances probably underlie spontaneous action potential generation by embryonic ganglion cells. The early expression of transmitter-gated ion channels indicates important functions of these channels in cell differentiation processes.