Localization of eNOS in the Olfactory Epithelium of the Rat

Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Nobuaki NAKAMUTA¹  Misuzu YAMAGUCHI-YAMADA¹  Kazuyuki TANIGUCHI¹  Daisuke ENDO¹  Yoshio YAMAMOTO¹ 

[1] Basic Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University

关键词: eNOS;    NADPH-diaphorase;    nitric oxide;    olfactory epithelium;    rat;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.10-0353

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

References(48)Cited-By(3)Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and produced from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Since NO is recently suggested to be involved in olfactory perception, the expression of eNOS, an isoform of NOS, was examined in the rat olfactory epithelium. The activity of NADPH-diaphorase was also examined as a marker of NOS. In the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity, intensely positive reactions for NADPH-diaphorase were observed in the entire cytoplasm of sensory cells (olfactory cells). By immunohistochemistry, intensely positive reactions for eNOS were also found in the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity. These reactions were observed on the free border of the olfactory epithelium. By immunoelectron microscopy, positive reactions for eNOS were found in the cilia of olfactory cells. In addition, in situ hybridization analysis of the olfactory epithelium revealed the expression of eNOS mRNA in the olfactory cells. These results indicate the presence of eNOS in the olfactory cells of the rat, and differential expression of eNOS in the olfactory epithelium depending on the regions of the nasal cavity. In addition, NO produced by eNOS may be involved in olfactory perception in the cilia of olfactory cells.

【 授权许可】

Unknown