Neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the olfactory system, forebrain, pituitary and retina of the adult teleost Clarias batrachus.
Immunocytochemical application of antibodies against nNOS to the brain sections of Clarias batrachus revealed intense immunoreactivity in several olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), in their axons over the olfactory nerve, and terminals in the olfactory glomeruli. Several basal cells in the olfactory epithelium showed NOS immunoreactivity. Application of post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy showed nNOS labeled gold particles in apical cilia, dendrites and soma of the ORNs and also in the axon terminals in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. nNOS containing fibers were also encountered in the medial olfactory tracts (MOTs). Bilateral ablation of the olfactory organ resulted in total loss of nNOS immunoreactivity in the fascicles of the olfactory nerve layer and also in the MOT. nNOS immunoreactivity was seen in several cells of the nucleus preopticus (NPO) and their axons that innervate the pituitary gland. Some cells in the floor of the tuberal area were stained positive with nNOS antibodies. nNOS immunolabeled cells were seen in all the three components of the pituitary gland with light as well as post-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. While several nNOS immunoreactive fibers were seen in rostral pars distalis, a much limited fiber population was seen in the proximal pars distalis. In addition, conspicuous immunoreactivity was noticed in some ganglion cells in the retina and in some fibers of the optic nerve traceable to the optic tectum. The NO containing system in this fish appears to be similar to that in other fishes.
Gaikwad
Archana
A
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur 440 033, India.
Biju
K C
KC
Barsagade
Vikas
V
Bhute
Yogesh
Y
Subhedar
Nishikant
N
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D002397:Catfishes / Q000502:physiology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000201:enzymology; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000201:enzymology; D012160:Retina / Q000201:enzymology; D016610:Tissue Embedding
D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I