A topographic gradient of molecules in retina can be used to identify neuron position.

Abstract

A monoclonal antibody was obtained [by fusing P3X63 Ag8 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice immunized with small portions of dorsoposterior or ventral chicken embryo retina] this antibody binds to cell membrane molecules distributed in a topographic gradient in avian [chick embryo] retina. More antigen [35-fold] was detected in dorsoposterior retina than in ventroanterior retina. Most of the antigen was associated with the synaptic layers of the retina. Less antigen was detected in cerebrum, thalamus, cerebellum and optic tectum, but little or none was found in non-neural tissues tested. The antigen was found on most or all cell types in retina, and the concentration of antigen found is a function of the square of the circumferential distance from the ventroanterior pole of the gradient toward the dorsoposterior pole. The antigen can be used as a marker of cell position along the ventroanterior-dorsoposterior axis of the retina.