Circadian oscillator function in embryonic retina and retinal explant cultures.

Retinal circadian oscillators regulate many aspects of retinal function. Investigations of these oscillators and the biochemical cascades that entrain them would be greatly facilitated if experimental paradigms could be identified that permit long-term monitoring of retinal circadian oscillator function in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine if chicken retinas maintained in explant culture conditions could serve in this capacity.

Analyses of the guanylate cyclase activating protein-1 gene promoter in the developing retina.

Purpose: To determine the activity, cell specificity, and developmental expression profiles of fragments of the chicken guanylate cyclase activating protein (GCAP)-1 promoter.

Methods: The intrinsic activities of five GCAP1 promoter-luciferase constructs were measured in transiently transfected primary chicken embryonic retinal cultures. Lentivirus vectors carrying GCAP1 promoter-nlacZ transgenes were used to examine the cell specificities and temporal expression characteristics of selected promoter fragments in developing retina.