Effects of glycine and GABA on the ganglion cels of the retina of the skate Raja erinacea.

Application of glycine and GABA caused inhibition of light-evoked activity from different populations of 'ON' center ganglion cells in the retina of the skate (Raja erinacea). Cells affected by glycine were not affected by GABA and vice-versa. Addition of 100 microM strychnine to the glycine-containing perfusate caused a resumption in light-evoked responses of the cells. The action of GABA was antagonized by 100 microM bicuculline methochloride, but not by picrotoxin. Autoradiography revealed the presence of [3H]glycine accumulating amacrine cells.