title: Evidence for nitric oxide role in the caudal neurosecretory system of the European flounder, Platichthys flesus.
abstract: A neuromodulatory role for nitric oxide has been reported for magnocellular neuroendocrine cells in mammalian hypothalamus. We examined its potential as a local intercellular messenger in the neuroendocrine Dahlgren cell population of the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of the euryhaline flounder. Immunocytochemistry using an antibody raised against human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) indicated the presence of NOS in the Dahlgren cells. Quantitative RT-PCR, using a flounder-specific probe, revealed NOS mRNA expression in the CNSS. In July, though not in September, NOS mRNA expression was significantly higher in fish fully adapted to seawater, compared to freshwater-adapted fish. Following acute transfer of fish from freshwater to seawater, NOS mRNA expression was elevated at 8h and then recovered by 24h. In pharmacological experiments in vitro, application of NO donors (SNAP, SNP) caused an increase in electrical activity (firing frequency) of Dahlgren cells, recruitment of previously silent cells, together with a greater proportion of cells showing phasic (irregular) activity. The NOS substrate, l-arginine, led to increased firing frequency, cell recruitment and enhanced bursting activity. However, this effect was not blocked by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME. These findings suggest that NO acts as a modulator within the CNSS, potentially enhancing electrical activity and hence secretory output. A role in supporting adaptation to hyperosmotic conditions is also indicated.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marley
authors.forename: Weiqun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Balment
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: McCrohan
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005432:Flounder / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester