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The retina is an ideal CNS structure for investigation of neural development and plasticity. It is a highly organized CNS structure that is easily accessible for experimental manipulation. All vertebrate retinas are organized in the same fashion and the five neuronal cell types can be reliably identified based on their position and morphology within the retina.

Choline acetyltransferase-IR (A) and high levels of SNAP-25-IR (B) co-localize to the same cells. (C): Fluorescence photomicrographs from a 25PN retina double-labeled with antibodies against ChAT (A) and SNAP-25 (B). C: Fluorescence double-exposure photomicrograph reveals co-localization of the two immunoreactivities in cell bodies in the INL and GCL and their processes in sublamina 2 and 4 of the IPL.

Double exposure fluorescence photomicrograph of a Xenopus XR1 glial cell labeled with rhodamine phalloidin (red: F actin) and anti-tubulin antibodies (green: FITC secondary).	Triple exposure fluorescence photomicrograph of the immunolocalization of focal adhesion proteins and the F-actin cytoskeleton in Xenopus XR1 glial cells. The pattern of b1 integrin-IR visualized with FITC conjugated secondary antibody, the pattern of vinculin-IR visualized with AMCA-Avidin, and Rhodamine Phalloidin labeling for visualization of the actin cytoskeleton within the same cells.

Section of a 35PN Monodelphis retina triple-labeled with antibodies to SNAP-25 (red-Cy3), Syntaxin (blue-Cy5), and VAMP (green-Alexa 488). This triple overlay revealed differential localization of these syanptic proteins. For additional information see: West Greenlee, Roosevelt and Sakaguchi (2001). JCN.

Confocal laser scanning microscope analysis revealing the colocalization of ß1 integrin receptors with cytoskeletal and focal adhesion components in XR1 glial cells. White streaks are focal adhesions illustrating colocalization of ß1 integrin receptors, Vinculin, and the termini of actin filaments.

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