No news on the flatworm front! Nitric oxide synthase in parasitic and free-living flatworms |
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Authors: | Gustafsson Margaretha K S Lindholm Agneta M Mäntylä Katja Reuter Maria Lundström Christel A Terenina Nadezdha |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Biology, Åbo Akademi University, FIN-20520, Åbo, Finland ;2.2Institute for Parasitology, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia ; |
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Abstract: | The free radical nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a simple and unique signalling molecule that can serve as neurotransmitter,
paracrine substance or hormone. NO is a gas, formed by various neuronal cells, both centrally and peripherally. NO regulates
cyclic GMP synthesis. The production of NO can be detected using the NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical stain for nitric
oxide synthase (NOS). NOS was detected in two parasitic flatworms, Diphyllobothrium dendriticum and Hymenolepis diminuta,
and two free-living flatworms, Planaria torva and Girardia tigrina. The staining for NOS was very strong in the nervous system
of both parasitic worms. The main nerve cords, the transverse ring commmissures, nerves in association with the musculature,
especially the cirrus musculature and sensory nerve endings showed NADPH-d staining. The NADPH-d staining in the free-living
flatworms was much weaker. Still NOS activity was found in the neuropile of the brain and in association with the pharynx
musculature. The demonstration of NOS in flatworms, indicates that NO is an old signal molecule in evolutionary terms.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Nitric oxide NADPH diaphorase Diphyllobothrium Girardia Hymenolepis Planaria |
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