Nitric oxide synthase and calcium-binding protein-containing neurons in the hamster visual cortex.
The distribution and morphology of neurons containing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28K and calretinin in the hamster visual cortex were compared by immunocytochemistry. Staining for NOS, calbindin D28K and calretinin was seen both in the specific layers and in the selective cell types. The densest concentration of anti-NOS-immunoreactive (IR) neurons was found in layer VI. Most of the calbindin D28K-IR neurons were located in layers II/III and V while the calretinin-IR neurons were predominantly located in layers II/III. The labeled neurons varied in morphology. The large majority of NOS-IR neurons were round or oval cells with many dendrites coursing in all directions. The majority of the calbindin D28K-IR neurons were stellate and round or oval cells with multipolar dendrites. The majority of the calretinin-IR neurons were vertical fusiform cells with long processes traveling perpendicular to the pial surface. Our study showed that 14.7% and 27.5% of the NOS-IR cells in the hamster visual cortex contained calbindin D28K or calretinin, respectively. These results indicate that NOS, calbindin and calretinin are located in specific layers and specific cell types and the vast majority of NOS-containing neurons are limited to neurons that do not express calbindin D28K or calretinin.
Lee
Jee-Eun
JE
Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.
Ahn
Chang-Hyun
CH
Lee
Jea-Young
JY
Chung
Eun-Sun
ES
Jeon
Chang-Jin
CJ
D000818:Animals; D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D048430:Cell Shape; D006224:Cricetinae; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000378:metabolism*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D064032:Calbindin 2; D064026:Calbindins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase