Goα labels ON bipolar cells in the tiger salamander retina

The study identifies distinct synaptic contacts of ON bipolar cells in the tiger salamander retina using specific immunolabeling techniques.

• Rod and cone cells are differentially labeled, showing lighter staining for rod cell bodies and heavier staining for cone cell bodies and pedicles.
• Most ON bipolar cells are labeled by an antibody to G(oalpha), indicating their presence in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) with axon terminals primarily in strata 6-9.
• Stratum 10 of the IPL is negative for G(oalpha), suggesting it lacks rod-dominated ON bipolar cells, which are typically found in that layer.
• The morphology of G(oalpha)-positive cells resembles cone-dominated and mixed rod/cone ON bipolar cells.
• Dendritic processes of G(oalpha)-positive cells make close contact with cone pedicles and superficial contact with some rod pedicles.
• This research is the first to characterize photoreceptor inputs and axon terminal morphology of a specific population of ON bipolar cells in salamanders.

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