Cell-specific expression and immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms and soluble guanylyl cyclase α and β subunits in postnatal porcine uteri.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular expression and immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) subunits in postnatal porcine uteri. Immunohistochemical experiments showed that three isoforms of NOS were mainly localized in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium and myometrium, and the intensity of immunostaining for iNOS and eNOS was increased gradually with temporal development of the postnatal uterus. In addition, sGC subunits, sGCα1 and β, were present in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium, myometrium and stromal cells. The uterine NOS activity data showed that the total NOS and iNOS activities were significantly increased at postnatal days 21 and 35. Although constitutive NOS activity was increased at postnatal day 21, it decreased subsequently at postnatal day 35. Immunoblot analysis revealed that iNOS protein expression was significantly increased at postnatal days 21 and 35. Furthermore, sGCα1 protein expression was not significantly changed throughout days 7 to 35. Collectively, our findings suggest that NO/cGMP signaling is involved in the process of postnatal porcine uterine development.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Yan
Y
Li
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Xin
X
Zhou
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Quan-wei
QW
Wei
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. Electronic address: rhung@njau.edu.cn.
Rui-hua
RH
Huang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. Electronic address: fxshi@njau.edu.cn.
Fang-xiong
FX
Shi
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D021122:Protein Subunits; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase
Nitric oxide synthase; Postnatal pig; Soluble guanylyl cyclases; Uterus