Removal of the cortical projections alters expression of NOS in the different cell types of the superficial layers of the superior colliculus in rats.
Nitric oxide has several biological roles and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is expressed in the nervous system, and co-localizes with NADPH-diaphorase. The superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC), which receive retinal and cortical inputs, present NADPH-d staining in a sub-population of neurons that include all cell types. We have previously shown, by NADPH-diaphorase, that eye enucleation alters the intracellular distribution of NOS. Here, we studied the effect of cortical ablation on NOS expression by neurons in collicular superficial layers. Our results show that cortical ablation alters the proportion of different NOS-positive cell types, but not the intracellular distribution of the enzyme.
Tenório
Frank
F
Departamento de Farmacologia e Psicobiologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, UERJ 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ftenorio@uerj.br
Giraldi-Guimarães
Arthur
A
Mendez-Otero
Rosalia
R
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000601:surgery
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase