Chemical Coupling between Horizontal Cells in the Catfish Retina

The effects of GABA and glutamate on the horizontal cells were explored by an intracellular recording method to discern the mechanisms of receptive field formation by chemical coupling in the catfish outer retina. The results suggest that the horizontal cells of the catfish retina might use GABA as their transmitters and that the GABAergic system contributes to the formation of receptive fields of the horizontal cells. GABAC receptors may be involved in a chemical coupling between horizontal cells and concerned with the depolarizing actions by GABA on horizontal cells in the catfish retina. Since the chloride equilibrium potential is more positive than the dark membrane potential in horizontal cells, GABA released from a horizontal cell may depolarize the neighboring horizontal cells. Thus a chemical coupling between horizontal cells may be formed. $GABA_A$ receptors also may be involved in the negative feedback mechanism between photoreceptor and horizontal cell. And glutamate may be involved in connecting positive and negative feedback systems since it potentiated the GABA's actions. Therefore, it is presumed that large receptive fields in the catfish retina are formed not only by electrical coupling but also by chemical coupling between horizontal cells. And information travels laterally by pathways involving both electrical coupling composed of gap junctions and chemical coupling in the retinal network.