title: Barbiturate-induced expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat cerebellum.
abstract: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is known to share some structural and functional similarities with the cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidase system. Unlike P450, it does not require a second enzyme, reductase, to transfer electrons. This characteristic is similar to P450(BM-3) of Bacillus megaterium. P450(BM-3) and certain mammalian subfamilies of P450, such as P4502B, are known to be induced by phenobarbital (PB), and these P450s share a consensus sequence called the Barbie box. Because of the similarities nNOS shares with P450(BM-3) and other mammalian P450s, we have examined whether nNOS also responds to PB treatment. We have used semi-quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, a functional assay, and immunohistochemistry in order to answer this question. These data show a threefold increase in nNOS mRNA expression, more modest nNOS protein and activity induction, and no discernible changes in localization of nNOS within the cerebellum following PB treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bernhard
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Strobel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000201:enzymology*; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D010634:Phenobarbital