Modulation of synaptic transmission in the retina

Abstract

Synaptic transmission between photoreceptors and horizontal cells can be modulated in at least two domains: amplitude and time. In teleost fish, synaptic transmission is modulated mainly in the amplitude domain. Cone-driven horizontal cells in this species require background illumination to maintain high light responsiveness, and they are strongly suppressed in prolonged darkness. Moreover, in light, cone horizontal cells are extensively coupled via gap junctions, and the coupling is reduced in strength after prolonged darkness. The dopaminergic interplexiform cells play a major role in the regulation of cone horizontal cell activity. They may release dopamine tonically in darkness, which suppresses the light responsiveness of horizontal cells and uncouples them. In amphibians, whose horizontal cells receive input from both rods and cones, the modulation appears to be in the time domain, i.e., the rise time of horizontal cell responses is slow in prolonged darkness and accelerated after background illumination. gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycine may mediate the changes in response rise time. Despite the differences of the neuromodulators involved, these species provide two complementary modes of modulation of synaptic transmission in the retina.