title: Detection and characterization of nitric oxide synthase in the mammalian cochlea.
abstract: The messenger molecule nitric oxide (NO) is involved in blood flow regulation, cytotoxicity, and neural signalling, processes that are important in the physiology and pathophysiology of the mammalian cochlea. However, neither the presence of NO nor its synthetic enzyme, NO synthase, has been established in the peripheral auditory system. NO synthase activity, measured as the enzymatic conversion of radioactive arginine to citrulline, was predominantly soluble in the auditory nerve, lateral wall, vestibule and cochlear neuroepithelium. N-methyl-L-arginine and trifluoperazine inhibited NO synthase activity in the lateral wall and auditory nerve. Histochemical staining by NADPH-diaphorase localized NOS activity to the lateral wall and the neuronal elements of the organ of Corti. Based on these results, the predominant NO synthase isoform in the cochlea is the neuronal type-I isoform.
authors.affiliation: Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, Unviersity of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-0506, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fessenden
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Coling
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schacht
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003051:Cochlea / Q000201:enzymology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000201:enzymology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D009498:Neurotoxins; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase