Studies of Organophosphate Effects on Retinal Physiology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry

摘要

We have approached the problem of DFP effects on the eye in several ways: 1) Dose response curves for DFP inhibition of cellular synthesis of DNA was studied in three different cell types. 2) Electroretinograms (ERG's) were recorded from isolated retinas of Bufo marinus during superfusion with the compound. 3) Intracellular recordings were made from rod photoreceptors in isolated retinas while superfusing with NaF. 4) The effects of fluoride on the protein-protein interactions and the enzymology of the cyclic nucleotide cascade of rod outer segments were studied. 5) DFP binding to rod outer segment and retinal proteins was observed. 6) We have measured the transport of DFP across the cornea. The data obtained show that both DFP and fluoride alter various enzymatic and physiological functions in cultured cells, the isolated retina, and rod outer segment membranes. The data obtained in the project reveal that both DFP and fluoride may alter ocular biochemistry and physiology through other than classical acetylcholinesterase mechanisms. While a number of the studies performed are preliminary, the data are sufficiently interesting to demand further investigation.