title: Axonal transport of nitric oxide synthase in autonomic nerves.
abstract: By using mechanical nerve ligation or nerve pinch technique, we provide evidence that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is transported in the preganglionic sympathetic axons, while postganglionic axons lack NOS transport. This finding corroborates the preganglionic sympathetic terminal as the site of NO synthesis, which is known to affect ganglionic transmission. Both vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) containing neurons of the nodose ganglion transport NOS in their axons. These results therefore suggest that NOergic innervation of autonomically innervated tissues is of parasympathetic and/or sensory, rather than sympathetic, origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lumme
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanhatalo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soinila
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001339:Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D001370:Axonal Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D001369:Axons / Q000201:enzymology*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D015171:Ganglionectomy; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D017777:Parasympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D017779:Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase