Ultrastructural localization of retinal guanylate cyclase in human and monkey retinas.

Immuno-imaging with confocal and electron microscopy revealed the localization of retinal guanylate cyclase (RetGC) in human and monkey retinas. Using an antibody against a peptide derived from human RetGC, RetGC was found predominantly in the photoreceptor layer in these retinas, although a small amount of RetGC was detected in various other retinal cells. In particular, the cone outer segments were more densely labeled with the antibody than the rod outer segments. The RetGC in outer segments was localized exclusively in the membrane-rich domains, and appeared to be associated with the marginal region of the disk membrane and/or the plasma membrane. The connecting cilium and its cytoplasmic extension never showed immunoreactivity with the antibody. The localization of RetGC in photoreceptor cells is discussed from the viewpoint of mechanisms for the recovery of photoreceptors to the dark level.