Co-expression of GAP-43 and nNOS in avulsed motoneurons and their potential role for motoneuron regeneration.
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is induced after axonal injury. The role of induced nNOS in injured neurons is not well established. In the present study, we investigated the co-expression of nNOS with GAP-43 in spinal motoneurons following axonal injury. The role of induced nNOS was discussed and evaluated. In normal rats, spinal motoneurons do not express nNOS or GAP-43. Following spinal root avulsion, expression of nNOS and GAP-43 were induced and colocalized in avulsed motoneurons. Reimplantation of avulsed roots resulted in a remarkable decrease of GAP-43- and nNOS-IR in the soma of the injured motoneurons. A number of GAP-43-IR regenerating motor axons were found in the reimplanted nerve. In contrast, the nNOS-IR was absent in reimplanted nerve. These results suggest that expression of GAP-43 in avulsed motoneurons is related to axonal regeneration whereas nNOS is not.
Yuan
Qiuju
Q
Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Hu
Bing
B
Chu
Tak-Ho
TH
Su
Huanxing
H
Zhang
Wenming
W
So
Kwok-Fai
KF
Lin
Zhixiu
Z
Wu
Wutian
W
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I