Immunocytochemical localization of taurine in the mammalian retina

Abstract

This paper describes the first demonstration of taurine-like immunoreactivity in the mammalian retina using an antiserum raised in rabbits. In rat, cat and guinea pig retina a peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical technique showed high levels of taurine immunostaining in photoreceptor inner segments and synaptic terminals, in subpopulations of amacrine and bipolar somata and their synaptic processes in the inner plexiform layer, including numerous large terminals near and on ganglion cell somata. Using the Protein A-gold technique for ultrastructural studies in the rat, the presence of synaptic ribbons confirmed that some of these taurine-containing terminals were from bipolar cells. Lower levels of immunostaining were seen in the pigment epithelium and distal parts of glial cells.