Localization of B2 bradykinin receptor mRNA in the rat retina and sclerocornea

The expression of the B-2 bradykinin receptor (BKR) mRNA in the adult rat eye was investigated by RNA blot and in situ hybridization analyses. Blot hybridization analysis of poly(A)(+) RNA from the whole eye identified RNA species of 6000 and 4000 nucleotides, consistent with those observed in brain, lung, kidney and uterus. In situ hybridization analysis using digoxigenin-labeled riboprobes revealed intense labeling in the retinal ganglion cell layer and in a population of cells adjacent to the sclerocorneal junction. These data suggest that the B-2 BKR is involved in biological processes in both retina and sclerocornea. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.