Location of nitric oxide synthase in the developing avian ciliary ganglion

• Published in: Journal of the autonomic nervous system Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 91 - 102
• Main Authors: Nichol, Kerry A., Chan, Nancy, Davey, David F., Bennett, Max R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 09.02.1995; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aging - metabolism; Amino Acid Oxidoreductases - metabolism; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Biological and medical sciences; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Ciliary ganglion; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Ganglia, Parasympathetic - cytology; Ganglia, Parasympathetic - embryology; Ganglia, Parasympathetic - enzymology; Histocytochemistry - methods; Microscopy, Electron; NADPH Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Neurons - enzymology; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Neuromuscular transmission. Ganglionic transmission. Electric organ; Staining and Labeling; Synapse; Tissue Distribution; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Ciliary ganglion; Synapse; Nitric oxide; Enzyme; Ophthalmic ganglion; In vitro; NADPH dehydrogenase; Neuromodulation; Nitric-oxide synthase; Calyx; Vertebrata; Autonomic nervous system; Nitrogen monoxide; Development; Neurotransmitter; Chicken; Oxidoreductases; Aves; Parasympathetic nervous system
• ISSN: 0165-1838; 1872-7476
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-1838(94)00116-2

A study has been made of the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the developing avian ciliary ganglion. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity first appeared in ciliary neurones at embryonic day 10 (E10). The number of NADPH-d positive neurones appeared maximal at this age and thereafter declined; at post hatched day 4 (P4) these neurones were found predominately in the periphery of the ganglion. At the light microscope level the NADPH-d stain appeared throughout the cell soma of the ciliary neurones. This was confirmed using tissue culture techniques. Ultrastructural delineation of horseradish peroxidase-labelled NOS antibodies was also found in the calyx where it was bound to the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum as well as to the outer membranes of mitochondria. This distribution of NOS in the soma and calyx is consistent with the physiological role of NO as a co-transmitter and retrograde messenger that regulates the quantal secretion of the principal transmitter, acetylcholine, from the calyx.