title: Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS and VIP in the mantle integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis.
abstract: The phylogeny and functional roles of many bioactive compounds in the invertebrate integument are still unclear. In order to deal with this issue, we performed an immunohistochemical investigation of the integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, to demonstrate the presence of nNOS- and VIP-positive nerve fibers in subepidermal connective tissue of the mantle. Positive nerve cell bodies were detected in this tissue as well as in cortex of sperm follicles, and adjacent to maturating oocytes and spermatocytes located in the thickness of the mantle. These results indicate involvement of a local inhibitory non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic (NANC) regulatory mechanism of epidermal functions, such as mucous secretion and ciliary beating. At the gonadic level, this mechanism probably regulates the cycle of maturation and release of the gametes in both sexes.
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: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pergolizzi
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaccone
mesh_terms: D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D020405:Dermis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase