title: Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS in the skin and nerve fibers of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. (Annelida Oligochaeta).
abstract: The epidermis of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris is a multifunctional tissue. It is composed of supporting, mucous, neuroendocrine-like, sensory and basal cells. NO is considered to be a molecule that regulates numerous functional activities (also in non-neuronal cells) in vertebrates. In the earthworm epidermis, we found neuronal NO synthase immunopositivity in orthochromatic and metachromatic mucous cells, neuroendocrine-like cells and in epidermal and subepidermal nerve fibers and striated muscle fibers. It is suggested that NO has a multitude of biological actions, affecting functional activities of the epidermis such as tissue homeostasis, control of secretion, proliferation, respiration, defense, water-salt balance, as well as regulation of tonus in vascular and striated muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biology and Marine Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Messina, Italy. alicata@unime.it
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ainis
authors.forename: Silvestro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martella
authors.forename: Maria Beatrice
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Eugenia Rita
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lauriano
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaccone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase