title: cGMP-dependent protein kinase in dorsal root ganglion: relationship with nitric oxide synthase and nociceptive neurons.
abstract: Nitric oxide and cGMP influence plasticity of nociceptive processing in spinal cord. However, effectors for cGMP have not been identified in sensory pathways. We now demonstrate that cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKl) occurs in the DRGs at levels comparable to that in cerebellum, the richest source of cGKl in the body. Immunohistochemical studies reveal that cGKl is concentrated in a subpopulation of small- and medium-diameter DRG neurons that partially overlap with substance P and calcitonin gene-related polypeptide containing cells. During development, cGKl expression throughout the embryo is essentially restricted to sensory neurons and to the spinal floor and roof plates. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is coexpressed with cGKl in sensory neurons during embryonic development and after peripheral nerve axotomy. The primary target for cGKl in cerebellum, G-substrate, is not present in developing, mature, or regenerating sensory neurons, indicating that other proteins serve as effectors for cGKl in sensory processing. These data establish sensory neurons as a primary locus for cGMP actions during development and suggest a role for cGKl in plasticity of nociception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Santillano
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Cornwell
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nairn
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greengard
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bredt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology; D013373:Substance P / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D013373:Substance P; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D011494:Protein Kinases; D006152:Cyclic GMP