Localization of soluble guanylate cyclase activity in the guinea pig inner ear.
The aim of this study was to characterize the nitric oxide (NO) receptor soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), to determine the cells targeted by NO and to elucidate the function of the NO/cGMP pathway in the inner ear. sGC activity in the inner ear was localized by immunohistochemical detection of NO-stimulated cGMP. Soluble guanylate cyclase activity in the cochlea was detected in the nerve endings underneath the outer and inner hair cells, supporting cells, stria vascularis and vessels. In the vestibular organs, sGC activity was detected in the cytoplasm of sensory cells, nerve fibres, dark cells and transitional cells and vessels. These findings suggest that the NO/cGMP pathway may be involved in regulatory processes in neurotransmission, blood flow and inner ear fluid homeostasis.
Takumida
M
M
Deportment of Otolaryngology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan. masati@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Anniko
M
M
Popa
R
R
Zhang
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D009925:Organ of Corti / Q000378:metabolism; D013316:Stria Vascularis / Q000378:metabolism; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000378:metabolism
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase