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

The expression of the B2 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 B2 BKR is involved in biological processes in both retina and sclerocornea.