New aspects of the location of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the skeletal muscle: a light and electron microscopic study.

The action of nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by NO synthases (NOS) is spatially restricted. Hence, the intracellular location of NOS might play an important role for the functional interactions of NO with its target molecules. In the skeletal muscle the neuronal NOS (nNOS) is considered to be the predominant isoform expressed as a muscle specific elongated splice variant. There are only a few and highly discrepant reports of the subcellular distribution of nNOS, which prompted us to re-examine the distribution of nNOS in the skeletal muscle of rat and mouse applying immunocytochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Light microscopically, the sarcolemma, areas beneath the sarcolemma, areas around the nuclei, and the cross striation were labeled by antibodies and by the NADPH-d reaction as well. Ultrastructurally, nNOS visualized immunocytochemically or by the histochemical BSPT-reaction, was associated discretely with extrajunctional portions of the sarcolemma. Both reaction products were additionally observed in the vicinity of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, or associated with their outer membranes. In the neuromuscular junction (NMJ)-region NOS was localized to the cytoplasm of nerve terminals and terminal Schwann cells. In contrast to the commonly accepted assumption, the enzyme was found in association with the presynaptic, and not with the postsynaptic membrane. Cytosolic NADPH-d was exhibited especially between mitochondria accumulated in the postsynaptic region of the NMJ. Surprisingly, in nNOS-/--mice the skeletal muscle showed patterns of significant nNOS-immunoreactivity and NADPH-d activity possibly due to alternative nNOS-splice isoforms, which might be up-regulated to compensate for decreased NO formation.     

急性给锂小鼠大脑皮层NOS活性与蛋白表达的时程变化

目的探讨急性给锂小鼠大脑皮层一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性与蛋白表达的时程变化及其意义.方法选用昆明小鼠40只,分为对照组和腹腔注射1.5mmol/Kg氯化锂(LiCl)即刻、0.5h、1h、3h、6h、12h、24h组,每组5只.采用NADPH-d黄递酶组织化学和ABC免疫组化法,观察急性给锂后不同时程小鼠大脑皮层NOS和nNOS阳性神经元数目的变化.结果急性给锂即刻小鼠大脑皮层NOS和nNOS阳性神经元数目明显增加(P＜0.01),1h后达到高峰(P＜0.01),6h和12h恢复到正常水平(P＞0.05),24hNOS阳性神经元又明显增高(P＜0.01),nNOS阳性神经元处于正常水平(P＞0.05).结论本实验提示急性给锂对小鼠大脑皮层NOS和nNOS阳性神经元数目有一定影响,这种变化可能是锂影响脑发育及锂的神经毒性的机理之一.     

锌对急性缺氧小鼠海马NOS和nNOS水平的影响

目的：观察锌对急性缺氧小鼠海马一氧化氮合酶（nitric oxide synthase,NOS）和神经元型一氧化氮合酶（neuronal NOS,nNOS）阳性神经元的影响,以探讨锌抗脑缺氧的作用机制。方法：复制小鼠急性缺氧模型,采用NADPH-d组织化学和nNOS免疫组织化学方法,研究给锌组和不给锌组急性缺氧小鼠海马各分区NOS和nNOS阳性神经元数量的变化。结果：给锌组比不给锌组小鼠缺氧耐受时间显著延长,差异有显著性（P〈0．05）;海马及其CA1区NOS和nNOS阳性神经元的数量明显减少,差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论：急性缺氧时锌通过减少海马NoS和nNOS水平而发挥其抗脑缺氧作用。     

豚鼠小肠神经节丛的NADPH—黄递酶组织化学观察

目前已知,ＮＡＤＰＨ－－黄递酶组化法可选择性地显示－－氧化氮合成酶（ＮＯｓｙｎｔｈａｓｅ,ＮＯＳ）神经元。因此,我们以ＮＡＤＰＨ－黄递酶组化法,观察了豚鼠小肠肌间神经丛和粘膜下神经丛的神经网格以及ＮＯＳ神经元。结果表明,三段小肠肌间神经丛的神经网眼大小和形态有明显差异,与对应的粘膜下神经丛相比,差异更显著。在肌间神经丛中,ＮＡＤＰＨ－黄递酶阳性神经元胞体大小不等;其长突起伸入节间束,而短突起较多,并可见短突起彼此连接．构成节内偶见的局部神经元回路。从小肠上段到下段,ＮＯＳ神经元数量呈下降趋势。在粘膜下神经丛,我们也观察到少数ＮＯＳ神经元。     

Heme oxygenase-2 distribution in anorectum: colocalization with neuronal nitric oxide synthase

Recent investigations have suggested carbon monoxide (CO) as a putative messenger molecule. Although several studies have implicated the heme oxygenase (HO) pathway, responsible for the endogenous production of CO, in the neuromodulatory control of the internal anal sphincter (IAS), its exact role is not known. Nitric oxide, produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of myenteric neurons, is an important inhibitory neural messenger molecule mediating nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation of the IAS. The present studies were undertaken to investigate in detail the presence and coexistence of heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) with nNOS in the opossum anorectum. In perfusion-fixed, frozen-sectioned tissue, HO-2 immunoreactive (IR) and nNOS IR nerves were identified using immunocytochemistry. Ganglia containing HO-2 IR neuronal cell bodies were present in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses throughout the entire anorectum. Colocalization of HO-2 IR and nNOS IR was nearly 100% in the IAS and decreased proximally from the anal verge. In the rectum, colocalization of HO-2 IR and nNOS IR was approximately 70%. Additional confocal microscopy studies using c-Kit staining demonstrated the localization of HO-2 IR and nNOS IR in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the anorectum. From the high rate of colocalization of HO-2 IR and nNOS IR in the IAS as well as the localization of HO-2 IR and nNOS IR in ICC in conjunction with earlier studies of the HO pathway, we speculate an interaction between HO and NOS pathways in the NANC inhibitory neurotransmission of the IAS and rectum.     

东亚三角头涡虫一氧化氮合酶的组织化学定位初步研究

采用一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）组织化学定位方法研究了三角涡虫的ＮＯＳ的分布。结果表明,三角涡虫的咽部具有ＮＯＳ分布,在神经系统中未发现ＮＯＳ分布。推测咽部ＮＯＳ可能与其摄食有关。     

Expression of nitric oxide synthase in mucosal cells of the canine colon

The expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the mucosa of the canine colon was investigated with in situ hybridzation, immunohistochemistry (using isoform specific antibodies), western analysis, and NADPH diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. In situ hybridization using a common probe for known isoforms of NOS showed that NOS mRNA was strongly expressed in mucosal cells. A gradient in the degree of hybridization was noted from the base of the crypts to the luminal surface. This gradient was also apparent using an endothelial NOS (eNOS)-specific probe. Neural NOS-like immunoreactivity (nNOS-LI) was observed in columnar epithelial cells, and the same population of cells was stained with NADPH-d. Endothelial NOS-like immunoreactivity (eNOS-LI) was also found in mucosal cells; however, this eNOS-LI was confined to mucous cells. These cells were not stained with NADPH-d. The existence of cNOS in mucosal cells was confirmed by in situ hybridization using the probe which specifically hybridized with mRNA of eNOS and by western blots which demonstrated the expression of a 135-kDa protein in mucosal homogenates. The differential expression of NOS isoforms and the gradient in expression along the length of the crypts suggest complex roles for NO in the development of colonic epithelial cells and in secretion and transport functions of the colonic mucosa.     

Studies on the localization and expression of nitric oxide synthase using histochemical techniques

Summary This review provides an update on the variety of histochemical techniques available for the cellular localization and expression of nitric oxide synthase in formalin-fixed tissue sections. The techniques of immunohistochemistry and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry are discussed and the suitability of various types of probes and reporters which are useful forin situ detection of nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression are assessed. Figures are also included which illustrate the techniques described and protocols forin situ hybridization and NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry.     

Ruminal muscle of sheep is innervated by non-polarized pathways of cholinergic and nitrergic myenteric neurones

The motility patterns of the reticulorumen evoke mainly mixing of the ingesta. So far unknown, intrinsic neural circuits of the enteric nervous system are involved in the control of these motility patterns. The aim of the study was to characterize neurochemically sheep ruminal myenteric neurones, in particular the neural pathways innervating the ruminal muscle layers. Cell bodies within the myenteric plexus projecting to the longitudinal or circular muscle layer were retrogradely labelled by direct application of the fluorescent tracer 1,1'-didodecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) onto the circular or longitudinal muscle. The neurochemical code of myenteric neurones was identified by their immunoreactivity for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). According to their neurochemical code, ruminal myenteric neurones were divided into three populations: ChAT/SP (68% of all myenteric neurones), NOS/VIP (26% of all myenteric neurones) and ChAT/- (5% of all myenteric neurones). Application of DiI onto the circular or longitudinal muscle revealed on average 64 or 44 labelled cell bodies in the myenteric plexus, respectively. DiI-labelled neurones expressed the code ChAT/SP or NOS/VIP. In the pathways to circular or longitudinal muscle, ChAT/SP-positive neurones outnumbered NOS/VIP-immunoreactive neurones by 5:1 and 2:1. Pathways to the circular or longitudinal muscle did not exhibit any pronounced polarized innervation patterns. This study demonstrated specific projections of myenteric neurones to the ruminal muscle. Neurones expressing the code ChAT/SP might function as excitatory muscle motor neurones, whereas NOS/VIP neurones are likely to act as inhibitory muscle motor neurones.     

NADPH-diaphorase, nitric oxide synthase, and tyrosine hydroxylase in the diencephalon of the Rhodeus sericeus (Cyprynidae:Teleostei)

The presence and distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-like neurons as well as tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH) neurons was studied in the diencephalon of the cypriniform teleost Rhodeus sericeus. The anatomical relationships between tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing cells were visualized both by NOS-immunohistochemistry and NADPH-histochemistry. Immunohistochemical labeling and morphological studies were performed on the same sections. The results reported in this paper show that both a NOS and TH activity are present in the preoptic region, posterior tuberculum, paraventricular organ and hypothalamus of R. sericeus. Putative nitrergic neurons were identified in all major hypophysiotrophic nuclei of the R. sericeus brain using both NADPH-d histochemistry and nNOS immunohistochemistry. In the preoptic region, nitrergic neurons were found in both the parvocellular and the magnocellular nuclei. Within these nuclei, the distribution of NADPH-d reactivity was similar to that of nNOS immunoreactivity. However, we found no evidence of colocalization of NADPH-d and nNOS in consecutive sections. NOS- and TH-containing neurons were observed in all the nuclei under study (hypothalamus, posterior tuberculum, ventral thalamus) and telencephalon (preoptic region), although most neurons showing the coexistence of both substances were mainly located in the preoptic nucleus and hypothalamus, some labelled neurons were found in the posterior tuberculum. Most of the cerebrospinalliquor-contacting cells (LCNs) in diencephalic periventricular area of R. sericeus were TH-immunoreactive. Also, a large number ofnitrergic small LCNs distributed throughout the third ventricle were observed in these regions. The data obtained supports the existence of a nitrergic circumventricular system in teleost. LCNs in R. sericeus are thought to be involved in osmoregulatory functions as osmosensitive neurons. Due to their chemical properties, NO produced by these cells might play an important role in the maintenance and regulation of CSF homeostasis through the modulation of cerebral blood flow.     

In situ detection of expression of thegus reporter gene in transgenic plants: ten years of blue genes

Among the methods now available to localize the sites of gene expression in plant materials, reporter genes based on thegus (uidA) gene ofEscherichia coli, which encodes a -glucuronidase (E.C. 3.2.1.31; GUS), have been the most widely used during the last ten years. The apparent simplicity of the histochemical GUS assay has been a major factor in the increase in articles usinggus genes. However, over the last four years, there have been occasional reports expressing doubts concerning the specificity of the observed localizations based on discrepancies between results obtained with GUS histochemistry and immunocytochemistry and/orin situ hybridization. This brief review compares the results obtained with immunocytochemistry with those obtained with various GUS substrates for histochemical studies. Certain sources of artefact are discussed, as are the limits that should be imposed on interpretation of GUS histochemistry results at the organ, tissue and cell levels.     

Enkephalin-immunoreactive subpopulations in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig fundus project primarily to the muscle and not to the mucosa

Enkephalin (ENK) immunoreactivity was localised in different neuronal subpopulations of the myenteric plexus in the guinea-pig gastric fundus using immunohistochemistry for neurone-specific enolase (NSE), ENK, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), calretinin (CALRET), and somatostatin (SOM). NADPH-diaphorase staining was used to label nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing neurones. ENK was observed in 44% of the myenteric neurones. The major ENK-positive subpopulations were ChAT/ENK (35% of ENK-positive neurones), ChAT/SP/ENK (26%), NOS/NPY/ENK (22%) and ChAT/SP/ENK/CALRET (9%). The projection pathways of these ENK-positive subpopulations to the circular muscle and the mucosa were determined using retrograde labelling with DiI in organ culture followed by immunohistochemistry. Of myenteric neurones retrogradely labelled from the mucosa and the circular muscle, 13% and 48% exhibited ENK immunoreactivity, respectively. Three major ENK-positive subpopulations innervating the mucosa or circular muscle were identified: ascending ChAT/SP/ENK (7% of all mucosa neurones; 24% of all circular muscle neurones), ascending ChAT/ENK (4%; 15%) and descending NOS/NPY/ENK (1%; 8%) neurones. Only very few CALRET- or SOM-positive neurones projected to the mucosa or circular muscle. ChAT/SP/ENK and ChAT/ENK neurones might function as ascending excitatory muscle motor neurones, whereas NOS/NPY/ENK neurones are most likely descending inhibitory muscle motor neurones. The relatively few ENK-positive mucosa neurones do not favour a major involvement of ENK-positive myenteric neurones in the control of gastric mucosa activity.     

Upregulation of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in in Vitro Stellate Astrocytes and in Vivo Reactive Astrocytes After Electrically Induced Status Epilepticus

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is a constitutively expressed and calcium-dependent enzyme. Despite predominantly expressed in neurons, nNOS has been also found in astrocytes, although at lower expression levels. We have studied the regulation of nNOS expression in cultured rat astrocytes from cortex and spinal cord by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. nNOS was not detectable in cultured astrocytes grown in serum-containing medium (SCM), but was highly expressed after serum deprivation. Accordingly, calcium-dependent NOS activity and both intracellular nitrite levels and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity after glutamate stimulation were higher in serum-deprived astrocytes than in cells grown in SCM. Serum deprivation induced a modification of astrocytes morphology, from flat to stellate. nNOS upregulation was also observed in reactive astrocytes of rat hippocampi after electrically induced status epilepticus, as demonstrated by double-labeling experiments. Thus, nNOS upregulation occurs in both in vitro stellate and in vivo reactive astrocytes, suggesting a possible involvement of glial nNOS in neurological diseases characterized by reactive gliosis.     

Different subpopulations of cholinergic and nitrergic myenteric neurones project to mucosa and circular muscle of the guinea-pig gastric fundus

Since the stomach lacks a well-developed ganglionated submucous plexus, the somata of enteric neurones innervating the muscle or the mucosa have to be localised within the myenteric plexus. The aim of this study was to determine the projection pathways and the neurochemical coding of myenteric neurones innervating these different targets in the gastric fundus. Myenteric cell bodies projecting to the mucosa or the circular muscle were retrogradely labelled by mucosa or muscle application of the fluorescent tracer DiI and subsequently characterised by their immunoreactivity for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), substance P (SP) and/or neuropeptide Y (NPY). On average 143±91 and 89±49 myenteric neurones were labelled from the mucosa and the circular muscle, respectively. DiI-labelled neurones were either ChAT- or NOS-positive. DiI-labelled ChAT-positive neurones were mainly ascending and outnumbered NOS-positive neurones, which were mainly descending (79.3±6.2% vs 20.7±6.2% for mucosa neurones; 69.3±11.1% vs 30.7±11.1% for muscle neurones). Three ChAT-positive subpopulations (ChAT/–, ChAT/SP, ChAT/NPY) and two NOS-positive subpopulations (NOS/–, NOS/NPY) were found. ChAT/SP neurones projected mainly to the circular muscle (36.1±11.9% of the cholinergic muscle neurones; mucosa projection: 8.0±2.1%), whereas ChAT/NPY neurones projected mainly to the mucosa (38.1±9.2% of the cholinergic mucosa neurones; muscle projection: 5.7±2.4%). NOS/– cells projected predominantly to the muscle. This study demonstrates polarised pathways in the myenteric plexus consisting of ascending ChAT and descending NOS cells that innervate the circular muscle and the mucosa of the gastric fundus. The ChAT/SP neurones might function as circular muscle motor neurones, whereas ChAT/NPY neurones might represent secretomotor neurones.     

Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the mouse kidney: cellular localization and influence by lipopolysaccharide and Toll-like receptor 4

We determined the cellular mRNA expression of all intrarenal nitric oxide (NO)-producing NO synthase (NOS) isoforms, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in kidneys from wild-type mice (WT) and immune deficient Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mutant mice, during normal physiological conditions and during a short-term (6–16 h) endotoxic condition caused by systemically administered lipopolysaccaride (LPS). Investigations were performed by means of in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction amplification techniques. In WT, LPS altered the expression rate of all intrarenal NOS isoforms in a differentiated but NOS-isoform coupled expression pattern, with iNOS induction, and up- and down-regulation of the otherwise constitutively expressed NOS isoforms, e.g. eNOS and nNOS and an iNOS isotype. In TLR4 mutants, LPS caused none or a lowered iNOS induction, but altered the expression rate of the constitutive NOS isoforms. It is concluded that the intrarenal spatial relation of individual NOS-isoforms and their alteration in expression provide the basis for versatile NO-mediated renal actions that may include local interactions between NOS isoforms and their individual NO-target sites, and that the NOS-isoform dependent events are regulated by TLR4 during endotoxic processes. These regulatory mechanisms are likely to participate in different pathophysiological conditions affecting NO-mediated renal functions.     

Localization and correlation between NADPH-diaphorase and nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the porcine uterus during the estrous cycle

Nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive free radical is involved in vasodilation, neurotransmission, hormone secretion, and reproduction. Since all known nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms possess NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity, NADPH-d histochemistry was used as a commonly accepted procedure for NOS identification. The aim of our study was to determine the cellular localization of NADPH-d, eNOS, and iNOS in the porcine uterus and the correlation between NADPH-d and NOS activity in the early, middle, late luteal, and follicular phase of the estrous cycle. Light-microscopic observations of the sections revealed the differential expression of the NADPH-d in the analyzed stages of the estrous cycle. The most intense staining was observed in the luminal epithelium in the late luteal phase and in some groups of the endometrial glands in all studied stages. Positive reaction was also found in the endothelial cells of blood vessels and in the myometrium itself. Immunostaining for eNOS was observed in the luminal and glandular epithelium in all studied stages, but no clear fluctuations were observed. The endothelium of both endometrial and myometrial blood vessels displayed pronounced eNOS immunostaining. Strong iNOS staining was observed in the luminal epithelium in the late luteal and follicular phase and in selected groups of endometrial glands. Thus, only NADPH-d and iNOS undergo cyclic changes in the studied stages of the estrous cycle. The differential expression of NADPH-d/NOS in the porcine uterine horn during the estrous cycle suggests a role for NO in modulating uterine function.     

Heme oxygenase-2 and nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity of bovine olfactory receptor neurons and a comparison with the distribution of NADPH-diaphorase staining

It has recently been suggested that, in addition to nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) is an important gaseous messenger which might be involved in vertebrate olfactory transduction because its effects include activation of guanylyl cyclase and the formation of cGMP. As there is no information regarding the presence of heme oxygenase-2 – the constitutive isoform of the heme oxygenase system – in olfactory neurons of non-rodent species, we have investigated the distribution pattern of heme oxygenase-2 in the olfactory epithelium of the bovine, a representative of macrosmatics. Localization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity of the olfactory epithelium was compared with heme oxygenase-2 and NO synthase (NOS) immunoreactivities in order to obtain possible hints at functional significance. NADPH-d activity was particularly intense in apical dendrites of receptor neurons. It was also found in Bowman glands and intraepithelial duct cells. Less intense, discrete NADPH-d activity was present also at intermediate and basal levels of the olfactory epithelium, corresponding to the layer of receptor neuron somata and basal cells. While heme oxygenase-2 activity mainly occured in neuronal perikarya, a very intense NOS immunoreactivity, exclusively for the inducible isoform, was detected in the apical dendrites. Ultrastructurally, NADPH-d histochemistry showed distinct labelling of membranes, in particular of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and nucleus. The coincident localization of the moderate NADPH-d activity and heme oxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in receptor cell perikarya suggest a functional association between NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and heme oxygenase-2. In contrast, dendritic localization of NADPH-d activity is topically and possibly functionally related to the presence of the inducible isoform of NOS. The results suggest that both CO and NO may be generated in bovine receptor neurons and thus involved in odorant stimulation. Based on immunocytochemical localization of synthesizing enzymes, NO might be regarded as a direct regulator of transduction related processes while CO might act as a modulator of the initial signal.     

Acidification-induced changes in Cx43 protein–protein interactions

In order to study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in ischemic brain injury. Global cerebral ischemia was established in SD rats by modified Pulsinelli's method. The activities of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), neuronal NOS (nNOS), nitrite (NO₂) and cyclic GMP in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum at different time intervals were measured by radioimmunoassy, NADPH-d histochemistry and fluorometry methods. The results showed that the activities of cNOS increased at 5 min in four regions and decreased in cortex, hippocampus and striatum at 60 min, in cerebellum at 15 min iNOS increased in cortex and striatum at 15 min, in hippocampus and cerebellum at 10 min, and persisted to 60 min. The expression of nNOS increased after 5 min ischemia in cortex, striatum and hippocampus, and return to normal at 30–60 min. The NO₂ and cGMP also increased after 5–15 min ischemia and returned to normal after 30–60 min ischemia. These results indicated that the NO participated in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia injury and different types of NOS play different role in the cerebral ischemia injuries. Selected specific NOS inhibitors to decreased the excessive production of NO at early stage may help to decrease the ischemic injury.     

Reactive oxygen species and anti-oxidant defenses in tail of tadpoles, Xenopus laevis

Tail regression in tadpoles is one of the most spectacular events in anuran metamorphosis. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress play an important role during this process. Presently, the cell- and tissue-specific localization of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase as well as neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoforms (nNOS and iNOS) responsible for production of nitric oxide (NO) were carried out during different stages of metamorphosis in tail of tadpole Xenopus laevis. NO also has profound effect on the mitochondrial function having its own nitric oxide NOS enzyme. Hence, in situ staining for NO and mitochondria also was investigated. The distribution of nNOS and iNOS was found to be stage specific, and the gene expression of nNOS was up-regulated by thyroxin treatment. In situ staining for NO and mitochondria shows co-localization, suggesting mitochondria being one of the sources of NO. SOD and catalase showed significant co-localization during earlier stages of metamorphosis, but before the tail regression begins, there was a significant decrease in activity as well as co-localization suggesting increased ROS accumulation. These findings are discussed in terms of putative functional importance of ROS and cytoplasmic as well as mitochondrial derived NO in programmed cell death in tail tissue.     

Identification and distribution of nitric oxide synthase in the brain of adult Antarctic teleosts

We investigated the presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in brain of adult Antarctic teleosts by indirect immunofluorescence technique using a synthetic rat neuronal NOS (nNOS) antibody. The following species were examined: Trematomus bernacchii, Gymnodraco acuticeps, Histiodraco velifer, Cygnodraco mawsoni (haemoglobin-rich), Chionodraco hamatus and Pagetopsis macropterus (haemoglobin-free). Immunoreactive cell bodies were localized in dorsal telencephalon, in hypothalamus, in optic tectum of the mesencephalon as well as in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. No differences were observed in the localization of the nNOS immunopositivity in the Antarctic teleosts brains examined and NOS distribution was similar to that described in other teleosts, suggesting that nitric oxide (NO) may also function as a neurotransmitter in the brain of Antarctic teleosts. A strong immunopositivity was observed in the cerebral blood vessels of the icefishes suggesting that NO may play a pivotal role in the regulation of the cerebral blood flow especially in these haemoglobin-free species.