Sources and targets of nitric oxide in rat cerebellum.
Nitric oxide (NO) mediates cell-cell signalling in the brain and stimulates cyclic GMP (cGMP) production in target cells. We have used NADPH-diaphorase (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase) histochemistry to identify NO-producing neurones and cGMP immunohistochemistry to locate the targets of NO in rat cerebellum. NADPH-diaphorase staining was prominent in granule cells and in the molecular layer. cGMP immunostaining in cerebellar slices stimulated with the NO donors, nitroprusside and SIN-1, was found in granule cells, glomeruli, fibres, Bergmann glia and in other astrocytes. The results provide visible evidence that NO mediates neuron-neuron and neuron-glia communication.
Southam
E
E
Department of Physiology, University of Liverpool, UK.
Morris
R
R
Garthwaite
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism*; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; D006152:Cyclic GMP