title: NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and nitric oxide synthase activity in deutocerebrum of the crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Crustacea, Decapoda).
abstract: The activity of an nitric oxide synthase in the deutocerebrum of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus was investigated with histochemical and biochemical methods. By using the NADPH-diaphorase histochemical reaction, known as a selective marker for NO synthase in mammals, it was possible to localize specific neuronal elements in the crayfish. Pronounced diaphorase-staining was observed in peripheral olfactory sensory cells and in the neuropil of the olfactory lobes. Less intense diaphorase-staining also occurred in other deutocerebral neuropils, such as the accessory lobes, the lateral antennular neuropil and in the deutocerebral commissure neuropil. The biochemical assay revealed a calcium/calmodulin-dependent formation of citrulline from L-arginine in brain homogenate. It was also possible to show that the selective NO synthase inhibitor L-NOARG decreased the formation of citrulline. These data indicate a role for NO as an intercellular messenger in the crayfish.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlberg
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea / Q000201:enzymology*; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D002956:Citrulline / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D002956:Citrulline; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D008058:Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase