[Effect of voltage-dependent calcium channel α1F subunit deficiency on the structure and function of the murine retina].

Objective: To investigate the distribution and biological roles of voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) α1F subunit in murine retina.

Methods: Experimental study.α1F(-/-) (homozygous mutant) mice (n = 35) and α1F(+/+) (wild type) mice (n = 35) were used in this study.

[Progress on study of achromatopsia and targeted gene therapy].

Achromatopsia is an early onset retinal dystrophy that causes severe visual impairment. To date, four genes have been found to be implicated in achromatopsia-associated mutations: guanine nucleotide-binding protein (GNAT2), cyclic nucleotide-gated channel alpha-3 (CNGA3), cyclic nucleotide-gated channel beta-3 (CNGB3) and phosphodiesterase 6C (PDE6C). Even with early onset, the slow progress and the good responses to gene therapy in animal models render achromatopsia a very attractive candidate for human gene therapy after the successful of the Phase I clinical trials of Leber's congenital amaurosis.

[Relationship between the polymorphism of carboxylic esterases and genetic susceptibility to organophosphates pesticides exposure].

Objective: To study the relationship between the polymorphism of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.

[Protective effect of memantine on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in dichlorvos-poisoned rat brain].

Objective: To study the protective effect of memantine on the regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in dichlorvos-poisoned rat brain, and to understand the mechanism of its role in organophosphate poisoning.

Methods: SD rats were administrated dichlorvos (25 mg/kg, ip) then three groups were treated with memantine at doses of 5, 15 and 45 mg/kg respectively. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and binding capacity of NMDA receptor with [(3)H]MK-801 were determined 16 h after dichlorvos injection.