Nitric oxide synthase distribution in the goldfish Mauthner cell.
NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining was used to assess the distribution of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the goldfish brain, with the emphasis on the Mauthner (M-) cell, a reticulospinal neuron, and its inputs. Labeling was specific for certain cell types, including the M-cell, which stained heavily. The reaction product in this neuron was uniformly distributed along its axon, soma, and ventral and lateral dendrites. Afferents which synapse with the M-cell were also NADPH-diaphorase positive, including an identified class of inhibitory interneurons and the large myelinated club endings (LMCE) of eighth nerve fibers. The presence of NADPH-diaphorase in a lower level brainstem circuit that undergoes activity-dependent long-term potentiation of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses and is accessible for morpho-functional correlations provides the opportunity to elucidate the mechanism and role of nitric oxide at the single cell level.
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Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Allegheny University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry; D006054:Goldfish / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis*; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase