title: Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivity in the olfactory system of a cartilaginous fish.
abstract: Nitric oxide is a regulative molecule with important roles in the olfactory system of vertebrates. Chondrichtyans have a key position in vertebrate evolution and nothing is known about nitric oxide in their olfactory system. Aim of this work was to investigate the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivity in the olfactory system of the shark Scyliorhinus canicula. Because nitric oxide is often related to GABA in the olfactory system, also the distribution of GABA and its synthesis enzyme GAD has been investigated. In the olfactory epithelium scattered cells in the basal and medial zone of the epithelium thickness presented nNOS-like immunoreactivity. In the olfactory bulb the nNOS-like immunoreactivity has been highlighted in nerve fibers around some blood vessels and in scattered GABAergic granule cells. The presence of nNOS in the olfactory system of S. canicula is overall lesser than that described in other vertebrates, even if nitric oxide probably keeps some essential functions.
authors.affiliation: DipTeRis, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. sara131274@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallus
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gambardella
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amaroli
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.forename: Maria Angela
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Masini
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallarino
authors.forename: Marino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vacchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D012754:Sharks
chemical_list: D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I