Enhancement of (polyA+)RNA synthesis in light in isolated intact photoreceptor cells of the rat.

Incorporation of [3H]-cytidine into messenger RNAs (polyadenylated RNAs) was enhanced in light in isolated intact photoreceptor cells of the rat. The increase in polyadenylated (PolyA+)RNAs appeared selective relative to other photoreceptor RNAs since incorporation of [3H]-cytidine into this fraction was up to 10-fold higher while labeling of total cellular RNAs was only two- to three-fold higher in light compared with dark. The photoreceptor cells were isolated in vivo through destruction of inner retina neurons with injections of combinations of neurotoxic substances during early postnatal development. The photoreceptor cells attained normal adult morphology and function: the alpha-wave of the electroretinogram, as well as the thickness of the outer nuclear layer and the length of photoreceptor inner and outer segments, were found to be within the normal range at 4 and 10 weeks of age. In addition to RNA synthesis, such photoreceptor cell preparations when incubated in vitro demonstrated a capacity for regulating light-dependent sodium fluxes comparable to that within the intact retina. The potential usefulness of this model for exploring the molecular biology of photoreceptor cells is discussed.