Light Pollution and Oxidative Stress: Effects on Retina and Human Health.

Visible light refers to the frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see, encompassing radiation with wavelengths falling between 380 nm to 760 nm. The energy of a single photon increases with its frequency. In the retina, photoreceptor cells contain light-sensitive pigments that absorb light and convert it into electrical stimuli through a process known as phototransduction. However, since the absorption spectrum of photoreceptors closely aligns with blue light (ranging from 400 to 500 nm), exposure to high light intensities or continuous illumination can result in oxidative stress within these cells, leading to a loss of their functionality. Apart from photoreceptor cells, the retina also houses photosensitive ganglion cells, known as intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). These cells relay information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain, playing a crucial role in modulating melatonin secretion, which in turn helps in synchronizing the body's circadian rhythms and responses to seasonal changes. Both, ipRGCs and skin possess a peak sensitivity to blue wavelengths, rendering them particularly susceptible to the effects of excessive blue light exposure. This study delves into the consequences of excessive illumination and/or prolonged exposure to blue light on retinal function and explores its implications for human health.

Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Showed a Differential Glycine Receptor Expression in the Spinal Cord: A GlyR Role in Diabetic Neuropathy.

In the spinal cord, attenuation of the inhibitory action of glycine is related to an increase in both inflammatory and diabetic neuropathic pain; however, the glycine receptor involvement in diabetic neuropathy has not been reported. We determined the expression of the glycine receptor subunits (α1-α3 and ß) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Long-Evans rats by qPCR and Western blot. The total mRNA and protein expression (whole spinal cord homogenate) of the α1, α3, and ß subunits did not change during diabetes; however, the α2 subunit mRNA, but not the protein, was overexpressed 45 days after diabetes induction. By contrast, the synaptic expression of the α1 and α2 subunits decreased in all the studied stages of diabetes, but that of the α3 subunit increased on day 45 after diabetes induction. Intradermal capsaicin produced higher paw-licking behavior in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats than in the control animals. In addition, the nocifensive response was higher at 45 days than at 20 days. During diabetes, the expression of the glycine receptor was altered in the spinal cord, which strongly suggests its involvement in diabetic neuropathy.

Glycine neurotransmission: Its role in development.

The accurate function of the central nervous system (CNS) depends of the consonance of multiple genetic programs and external signals during the ontogenesis. A variety of molecules including neurotransmitters, have been implied in the regulation of proliferation, survival, and cell-fate of neurons and glial cells. Among these, neurotransmitters may play a central role since functional ligand-gated ionic channel receptors have been described before the establishment of synapses. This review argues on the function of glycine during development, and show evidence indicating it regulates morphogenetic events by means of their transporters and receptors, emphasizing the role of glycinergic activity in the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals during development. Understanding the mechanisms involved in these processes would help us to know the etiology of cognitive dysfunctions and lead to improve brain repair strategies.

High glucose concentrations induce oxidative stress by inhibiting Nrf2 expression in rat Müller retinal cells in vitro.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes. Several studies have implicated oxidative stress as a fundamental factor in the progression of the disease. The nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is one of the main regulators of redox homeostasis. Glia Müller cells (MC) maintain the structural and functional stability of the retina. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of high glucose concentrations on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Nrf2 expression levels in rat MC. MC were incubated with normal (NG; 5 mM) or high glucose (HG; 25 mM) for different times. Incubation with HG increased ROS levels from 12 to 48 h but did not affect cell viability. However, exposure to 3 h of HG caused a transient decrease Nrf2 levels. At that time, we also observed a decrease in the mRNA expression of Nrf2 target genes, glutathione levels, and catalase activity, all of which increased significantly beyond initial levels after 48 h of incubation. HG exposure leads to an increase in the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB) levels, and its target genes. These results suggest that high glucose concentrations lead to alteration of the redox regulatory capacity of Nrf2 mediated by NF-kB regulation.

Retinal Nrf2 expression in normal and early streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among diabetic patients. Although hyperglycemia produces retinal oxidative stress in long-standing diabetes, the pathogenesis mechanism is unknown. The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a central role in cell responses against oxidative damage. We used adult Long Evans rats where diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Normal and treated rats were sacrificed at 7, 20, and 45 days after streptozotocin injection. We analyzed Nrf2 and Keap1 expression in retinal homogenates, cytoplasmic, and nuclear retinal fractions. Normal retina showed Nrf2 expression in all retina nuclear layers. We found a transitory decrease of Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression at 7 and 20 days after the streptozotocin injection that recovered later on: moreover, the protein level increased after 45 days. Keap1 immunoprecipitation revealed similar levels as Nrf2 in normal and diabetic rat retinas, indicating that the diabetic condition did not lead to dissociation of the Keap1-Nrf2 complex. Indeed, glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity were not altered in the treated rat retinas. These results do not support oxidative stress in the retina shortly after diabetes induction.

Mitochondrial bound hexokinase type I in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rat retina.

Diabetic retinopathy is thought to be trigger by glucose- induced oxidative stress which leads to an increase of the mitochondrial permeability through opening the permeability transition pore (MTP). In several cell types, hexokinases interact with the mitochondria regulating MTP opening, avoiding cytochrome c release. We studied HK I mitochondrial proportion in control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas. In the normal retina, 50% of HK I was linked to mitochondria, proportion that did not change up to 60 days of diabetes. Mitochondria from normal and diabetic rat retinas showed a limited swelling, and similar cytochrome c levels. G-6-P and glycogen content increased 3-6-fold in diabetic rat retinas, while lactate content did not vary. Results suggest that mitochondrial bound HK produce G-6-P and drove it to glycogen synthesis, controlling ROS production and lactate toxicity.

Glycine receptor is differentially expressed in the rat retina at early stages of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that leads to several complications which include retinopathy. Neuronal abnormalities have been reported to appear before microvasculature alterations. We analyzed the expression levels of GlyR subunits in the retina at 7, 20, and 45 days after streptozotocin-induced diabetes to gain insight into the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. We determined the mRNA and protein expression by qPCR and western blot, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of the α1 subunit was not altered over the study period; however, they were slightly reduced in α2 yet statistically significant. While protein expression of α3 subunit was only reduced at 45 days diabetes. The mRNA and protein expression of the α4 subunit was remarkably decreased since day 7 of diabetes, remaining only ∼20% on day 45 of diabetes. Surprisingly, the mRNA of the ß subunit was highly increased, while its protein levels were not changed. The decrease in GlyR α subunits expression in the retina from diabetic animals suggest a perturbation in the inhibitory glycine signaling pathway, which might be related to the visual alterations observed in diabetes.

Mitochondrial activity in different regions of the brain at the onset of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Diabetes affects a variety of tissues including the central nervous system; moreover, some evidence indicates that memory and learning processes are disrupted. Also, oxidative stress triggers alterations in different tissues including the brain. Recent studies indicate mitochondria dysfunction is a pivotal factor for neuron damage. Therefore, we studied mitochondrial activity in three brain regions at early type I-diabetes induction. Isolated mitochondria from normal hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum revealed different rates of oxygen consumption, but similar respiratory controls. Oxygen consumption in basal state 4 significantly increased in the mitochondria from all three brain regions from diabetic rats. No relevant differences were observed in the activity of respiratory complexes, but hippocampal mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced. However, ATP content, mitochondrial cytochrome c, and protein levels of ß-tubulin III, synaptophysin, and glutamine synthase were similar in brain regions from normal and diabetic rats. In addition, no differences in total glutathione levels were observed between normal and diabetic rat brain regions. Our results indicated that different regions of the brain have specific metabolic responses. The changes in mitochondrial activity we observed at early diabetes induction did not appear to cause metabolic alterations, but they might appear at later stages. Longer-term streptozotocin treatment studies must be done to elucidate the impact of hyperglycemia in brain metabolism and the function of specific brain regions.

Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Diabetes Type 2 Progression.

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a very versatile and potent model in the past few years for studies in metabolism and metabolic disorders, including diabetes types 1 and 2. Drosophila insulin signaling, despite having seven insulin-like peptides with partially redundant functions, is very similar to the human insulin pathway and has served to study many different aspects of diabetes and the diabetic state. Yet, very few studies have addressed the chronic nature of diabetes, key for understanding the full-blown disease, which most studies normally explore. One of the advantages of having Drosophila mutant viable combinations at different levels of the insulin pathway, with significantly reduced insulin pathway signaling, is that the abnormal metabolic state can be studied from the onset of the life cycle and followed throughout. In this review, we look at the chronic nature of impaired insulin signaling. We also compare these results to the results gleaned from vertebrate model studies.

Nitrosative Stress in the Rat Retina at the Onset of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nitric oxide is a multifunctional molecule that can modify proteins via nitrosylation; it can also initiate signaling cascades through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness, but its pathogenesis is unknown. Multiple mechanisms including oxidative-nitrosative stress have been implicated. Our main goal was to find significant changes in nitric oxide (NO) levels and determine their association with nitrosative stress in the rat retina at the onset of diabetes. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. The possible nitric oxide effects on the rat retina were evaluated by the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), a specific marker for NO-producing neurons, detected by histochemistry performed on whole retinas and retina sections. Immunohistochemistry was also performed on retina sections for iNOS, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Retinal nitric oxide levels were assessed by measuring total nitrate/nitrite concentrations. Retinal cGMP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Western blots for nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and oxidized proteins were performed. RESULTS: In the present study, we found increased activity of NADPH-diaphorase and iNOS immunoreactivity in the rat retina at the onset of diabetes; this increase correlated with a remarkable increase in NO levels as early as 7 days after the onset of diabetes. However, cGMP levels were not modified by diabetes, suggesting that NO did not activate its signaling cascade. Even so, Western blots revealed a progressive increase in nitrated proteins at 7 days after diabetes induction. Likewise, positive nitrotyrosine immunolabeling was observed in the photoreceptor layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer and some Müller cell processes in the retinas of diabetic rats. In addition, levels of oxidized proteins were increased in the retina early after diabetes induction; these levels were reduced by the administration of L-NAME. In addition, stress in Müller cells was determined by immunoreactivity to the glial fibrillary acidic protein. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated the occurrence of nitrosative stress at the onset of diabetes in the rat retina and emphasized the role of NO in retinal function and the pathogenesis of retinopathy.

Glycine receptor subunits expression in the developing rat retina.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Glycine receptor (GlyR) consists of two α (1-4) and three ß subunits. Considerable evidence indicates that the adult retina expresses the four types of α subunits; however, the proportion of these subunits in adult and immature retina is almost unknown. In this report we have studied mRNA and the protein expression of GlyR subunits in the retina during postnatal rat development by Real-Time qRT-PCR and western blot. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression indicated a gradual increase of the α1, α3, α4 and ß GlyR subunits during postnatal ages tested. The mRNA ß subunit showed higher expression levels (∼3 fold) than those observed for the α1 and α3 subunits. Very interestingly, the α2 GlyR subunit had the highest expression in the retina, even in the adult. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed the expression of GlyR at early postnatal ages, supporting its role in retina development. In addition, our results indicated that the adult retina expressed a high proportion of the α2 subunit, suggesting the expression of monomeric and/or heteromeric receptors. A variety of studies are needed to further characterize the role of the specific subunits in both adult and immature retina.

Potential Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that leads to several complications which include retinopathy. Multiple biochemical abnormalities have been proposed to explain the development of retinopathy, including oxidative stress. Although the existence of oxidative stress has been established in the retina from long standing diabetic animals, pathogenesis and progression of retinopathy remain unclear. In order to gain insight into the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, we analyzed the levels of different oxidative stress biomarkers in the retina at early stages during the progress of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. No significant changes in glutathione content, expression of NADPH-oxidase, levels of lipid peroxidation, nor production of free radicals were observed in the retina up to 45 days of diabetes induction. Likewise, a transient decrease in aconitase activity, parallel to an increase in the superoxide dismutase activity was observed at 20 days of hyperglycemia, suggesting a high capacity of retina to maintain its redox homeostasis, at least at early stages of diabetes. Nonetheless, we found an early and time-dependent increase in the levels of oxidized proteins, which was not affected by the administration of the antioxidant quercetin. Also, positive immunoreactivity to the reticulum stress protein CHOP was found in glial Müller cells of diabetic rat retinas. These findings suggest the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress as a primary event in retina pathogenesis in diabetes.

In the Early Stages of Diabetes, Rat Retinal Mitochondria Undergo Mild Uncoupling due to UCP2 Activity.

In order to maintain high transmembrane ionic gradients, retinal tissues require a large amount of energy probably provided by a high rate of both, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. However, little information exists on retinal mitochondrial efficiency. We analyzed the retinal mitochondrial activity in ex vivo retinas and in isolated mitochondria from normal rat retina and from short-term streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In normal ex vivo retinas, increasing glucose concentrations from 5.6 mM to 30 mM caused a four-fold increase in glucose accumulation and CO2 production. Retina from diabetic rats accumulated similar amounts of glucose. However, CO2 production was not as high. Isolated mitochondria from normal rat retina exhibited a resting rate of oxygen consumption of 14.6 ± 1.1 natgO (min.mg prot)(-1) and a respiratory control of 4.0. Mitochondria from 7, 20 and 45 days diabetic rats increased the resting rate of oxygen consumption and the activity of the electron transport complexes; under these conditions the mitochondrial transmembrane potential decreased. In spite of this, the ATP synthesis was not modified. GDP, an UCP2 inhibitor, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and superoxide production in controls and at 45 days of diabetes. The role of UCP2 is discussed. The results suggest that at the early stage of diabetes we studied, retinal mitochondria undergo adaptations leading to maintain energetic requirements and prevent oxidative stress.

Immunohistochemical localization of glycogen synthase and GSK3ß: control of glycogen content in retina.

Glycogen has an important role in energy handling in several brain regions. In the brain, glycogen is localized in astrocytes and its role in several normal and pathological processes has been described, whereas in the retina, glycogen metabolism has been scarcely investigated. The enzyme glycogen phosphorylase has been located in retinal Müller cells; however the cellular location of glycogen synthase (GS) and its regulatory partner, glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), has not been investigated. Our aim was to localize these enzymes in the rat retina by immunofluorescence techniques. We found both GS and GSK3ß in Müller cells in the synaptic layers, and within the inner segments of photoreceptor cells. The presence of these enzymes in Müller cells suggests that glycogen could be regulated within the retina as in other tissues. Indeed, we showed that glycogen content in the whole retina in vitro was increased by high glucose concentrations, glutamate, and insulin. In contrast, retina glycogen levels were not modified by norepinephrine nor by depolarization with high KCl concentrations. Insulin also induced an increase in glycogen content in cultured Müller cells. The effect of insulin in both, whole retina and cultured Müller cells was blocked by inhibitors of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase, strongly suggesting that glycogen content in retina is modulated by the insulin signaling pathway. The expression of GS and GSK3ß in the synaptic layers and photoreceptor cells suggests an important role of GSK3ß regulating glycogen synthase in neurons, which opens multiple feasible roles of insulin within the retina.

El receptor postsináptico de glicina media de forma transitoria y sostenida la inhibición glicinérgica en la retina de los vertebrados / The post-synaptic glycine receptor mediates in a transitory and sustained way the glycinergic inhibition in the vertebrate retina

Introducción. La glicina y el ácido g-aminobutírico son los principales neurotransmisores inhibidores en la retina de los vertebrados. La acción inhibidora de la glicina es mediada por el receptor postsináptico de glicina, que es un canal selectivo al cloruro, constituido por tres subunidades β y dos α (α1 - α4 ) que se antagoniza por el alcaloide estricnina. En la retina se conoce que las cuatro isoformas de la subunidad α se expresan en la capa sináptica interna y que en muy raras ocasiones se localizan en la misma terminal sináptica. Los receptores de glicina formados por las isoformas α1 o α3 poseen cinéticas rápidas, mientras que los receptores α2 o α4 responden tónicamente. El empleo de ratones transgénicos que tienen eliminada (knock-out) o disminuida (knock-down) la expresión de alguno de los genes que codifican para las diferentes isoformas de la subunidad α del receptor de glicina ha permitido estudiar la participación de estas subunidades en la transmisión glicinérgica de la retina de los mamíferos. Objetivo. Describir la participación del receptor de glicina en la neurotransmisión glicinérgica, particularmente en la retina. Desarrollo. En esta revisión se describen los experimentos que han permitido localizar e identificar la participación de los diferentes subtipos del receptor de glicina en circuitos de neurotransmisión específicos en la retina de los vertebrados. Conclusiones. La localización de receptores de glicina constituidos por diferentes isoformas de la subunidad α, en tipos neuronales específicos, indica la presencia de circuitos glicinérgicos que codifican de manera distinta el paso de información en la retina (AU)

Introduction. Glycine and the g-aminobutyric acid are the principal inhibitory neurotransmitters in the vertebrate retina. The inhibitory action of glycine is mediated by the post-synaptic glycine receptor, a chloride-selective channel, constituted by three β and two α subunits (α1 - α4 ), which is antagonized by the alkaloid strychnine. In the retina, it is known that all α isoforms are expressed at the level of the inner synaptic layer with a very low colocalization. The glycine receptor formed by either α1 or α3 shows rapid kinetics, whereas α2 or α4 receptors respond tonically. The use of transgenic mice has allowed the study of the different glycine receptor α subunits in the glycinegic neurotransmission of the mammalian retina. Aim. To describe the participation of the glycine receptor in the inhibitory neurotransmission particularly in the retina. Development. In this review we describe the experiments that have allowed the localization and the involvement of the α subunit isoforms in specific transmission circuits of the vertebrate retina. Conclusions. The localization of the glycine receptor conformed by different isoforms of the α subunit in specific neuronal types, indicate the presence of glycinergic circuits that encode information differently in the retina (AU)

[The post-synaptic glycine receptor mediates in a transitory and sustained way the glycinergic inhibition in the vertebrate retina]. / El receptor postsinaptico de glicina media de forma transitoria y sostenida la inhibicion glicinergica en la retina de los vertebrados.

INTRODUCTION: Glycine and the gamma-aminobutyric acid are the principal inhibitory neurotransmitters in the vertebrate retina. The inhibitory action of glycine is mediated by the post-synaptic glycine receptor, a chloride-selective channel, constituted by three beta and two alpha subunits (alpha(1)-alpha(4)), which is antagonized by the alkaloid strychnine. In the retina, it is known that all alpha isoforms are expressed at the level of the inner synaptic layer with a very low colocalization. The glycine receptor formed by either alpha1 or alpha(3) shows rapid kinetics, whereas alpha(2) or alpha(4) receptors respond tonically. The use of transgenic mice has allowed the study of the different glycine receptor alpha subunits in the glycinegic neurotransmission of the mammalian retina. AIM: To describe the participation of the glycine receptor in the inhibitory neurotransmission particularly in the retina. DEVELOPMENT: In this review we describe the experiments that have allowed the localization and the involvement of the alpha subunit isoforms in specific transmission circuits of the vertebrate retina. CONCLUSIONS: The localization of the glycine receptor conformed by different isoforms of the alpha subunit in specific neuronal types, indicate the presence of glycinergic circuits that encode information differently in the retina.

Control of glycogen content in retina: allosteric regulation of glycogen synthase.

Retinal tissue is exceptional because it shows a high level of energy metabolism. Glycogen content represents the only energy reserve in retina, but its levels are limited. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms controlling glycogen content in retina will allow us to understand retina response under local energy demands that can occur under normal and pathological conditions. Thus, we studied retina glycogen levels under different experimental conditions and correlated them with glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) content and glycogen synthase (GS) activity. Glycogen and G-6-P content were studied in ex vivo retinas from normal, fasted, streptozotocin-treated, and insulin-induced hypoglycemic rats. Expression levels of GS and its phosphorylated form were also analyzed. Ex vivo retina from normal rats showed low G-6-P (14±2 pmol/mg protein) and glycogen levels (43±3 nmol glycosyl residues/mg protein), which were increased 6 and 3 times, respectively, in streptozotocin diabetic rats. While no changes in phosphorylated GS levels were observed in any condition tested, a positive correlation was found between G-6-P levels with GS activity and glycogen content. The results indicated that in vivo, retina glycogen may act as an immediately accessible energy reserve and that its content was controlled primarily by G-6-P allosteric activation of GS. Therefore, under hypoglycemic situations retina energy supply is strongly compromised and could lead to the alterations observed in type 1 diabetes.

Insulin stimulated-glucose transporter Glut 4 is expressed in the retina.

The vertebrate retina is a very metabolically active tissue whose energy demands are normally met through the uptake of glucose and oxygen. Glucose metabolism in this tissue relies upon adequate glucose delivery from the systemic circulation. Therefore, glucose transport depends on the expression of glucose transporters. Here, we show retinal expression of the Glut 4 glucose transporter in frog and rat retinas. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization studies showed Glut 4 expression in the three nuclear layers of the retina: the photoreceptor, inner nuclear and ganglionar cell layers. In the rat retina immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis revealed a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 45 kDa. ¹4C-glucose accumulation by isolated rat retinas was significantly enhanced by physiological concentrations of insulin, an effect blocked by inhibitors of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K), a key enzyme in the insulin-signaling pathway in other tissues. Also, we observed an increase in ³H-cytochalasin binding sites in the presence of insulin, suggesting an increase in transporter recruitment at the cell surface. Besides, insulin induced phosphorylation of Akt, an effect also blocked by PI3K inhibition. Expression of Glut 4 was not modified in retinas of a type 1 diabetic rat model. To our knowledge, our results provide the first evidence of Glut4 expression in the retina, suggesting it as an insulin- responsive tissue.

Glycine receptor internalization by protein kinases activation.

Although glycine-induced currents in the central nervous system have been proven to be modulated by protein kinases A (PKA) and C (PKC), the mechanism is not well understood. In order to better comprehend the mechanism involved in this phenomenon, we tested the PKA and PKC activation effect on the specific [(3) H]glycine and [(3) H]strychnine binding to postsynaptic glycine receptor (GlyR) in intact rat retina. The specific binding constituted about 20% of the total radioligand binding. Kinetic analysis of the specific binding exhibited a sigmoidal behavior with three glycine and two strychnine binding sites and affinities of 212 nM for [(3) H]glycine and 50 nM for [(3) H]strychnine. Specific radioligand binding was decreased (60-85%) by PKA and PKC activation, an effect that was blocked by specific kinases inhibitors, as well as by cytochalasin D. GlyR expressed in the plasma membrane decreased about 50% in response to kinases activation, which was consistent with an increase of the receptor in the microsomal fraction when PKA was activated. Moreover, immunoprecipitation studies indicated that these kinases lead to a time-dependent receptor phosphorylation. Our results suggest that in retina, GlyR is cross-regulated by G protein-coupled receptors, activating PKA and PKC.

Drosophila insulin pathway mutants affect visual physiology and brain function besides growth, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes worldwide. Some of its complications, such as retinopathy and neuropathy, are long-term and protracted, with an unclear etiology. Given this problem, genetic model systems, such as in flies where type 2 diabetes can be modeled and studied, offer distinct advantages. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used individual flies in experiments: control and mutant individuals with partial loss-of-function insulin pathway genes. We measured wing size and tested body weight for growth phenotypes, the latter by means of a microbalance. We studied total lipid and carbohydrate content, lipids by a reaction in single fly homogenates with vanillin-phosphoric acid, and carbohydrates with an anthrone-sulfuric acid reaction. Cholinesterase activity was measured using the Ellman method in head homogenates from pooled fly heads, and electroretinograms with glass capillary microelectrodes to assess performance of central brain activity and retinal function. RESULTS: Flies with partial loss-of-function of insulin pathway genes have significantly reduced body weight, higher total lipid content, and sometimes elevated carbohydrate levels. Brain function is impaired, as is retinal function, but no clear correlation can be drawn from nervous system function and metabolic state. CONCLUSIONS: These studies show that flies can be models of type 2 diabetes. They weigh less but have significant lipid gains (obese); some also have carbohydrate gains and compromised brain and retinal functions. This is significant because flies have an open circulatory system without microvasculature and can be studied without the complications of vascular defects.