RUI: Nitric Oxide Inhibition of Molluscan Metamorphosis

RUI：一氧化氮抑制软体动物变态

• 批准号: 9604516
• 负责人: Esther Leise
• 金额: $ 12.78万
• 依托单位: University of North Carolina Greensboro
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-05-01 至 2000-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9604516&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Nitric; Oxide; Inhibition; Molluscan

ABSTRACT IBN 9604516 LEISE Neurotransmitters are typically small molecules that are released by an activated nerve cell, allowing it to communicate with other neurons. Most neurotransmitters are stored within vesicles and released for short periods of time when a neuron is electrically excited. Upon release, these molecules diffuse across a narrow synaptic cleft and interact with surface receptors on their target cells. In the last 15 years, a new class of neurotransmitters has been identified that acts in a different fashion. These gaseous neurotransmitters, including nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, are made enzymatically upon demand, and can diffuse through cells and tissues to interact with intracellular biochemical pathways. Of these two gases, more is known about the functions of nitric oxide and how it acts in adult nervous systems. For example, nitric oxide plays roles in systems as diverse as behavioral aggression, learning and memory, and the mediation of olfactory responses. The functions of this molecule in developing nervous systems are, however, still being elucidated. Preliminary data from Dr. Leise's research have indicated that nitric oxide may act within developing nervous systems as a natural inhibitor of metamorphosis. Upon release, nitric oxide typically interacts with the enzyme guanylyl cyclase to enhance production of the intracellular messenger molecule cGMP, which in turn can affect a broad range of cellular biochemistry. To determine if the typical nitric oxide-guanylyl cyclase pathway is part of the cellular systems that control metamorphosis, Dr. Leise and her coworkers will conduct a series of related experiments on a species of marine snails. They will use pharmacological experiments to block the production of nitric oxide, which should allow metamorphosis to proceeed. They will use biochemical assays to measure levels of cGMP before, during and after metamorphosis, and they will also use immunocytochemical procedures to determine which cells prod uce nitric oxide and which cells are the likely targets that contain the enzyme guanylyl cyclase. These investigations will determine whether or not nitric oxide plays an important role in governing the onset of metamorphosis. Even humans retain vestiges of metamorphosis in the hormonal changes that we undergo during puberty, and it may be that this new gaseous neurotransmitter plays a role in this important developmental process.

摘要 IBN 9604516 LEISE 神经递质通常是由激活的神经细胞释放的小分子，使其能够与其他神经元进行交流。 大多数神经递质储存在囊泡内，并在神经元受到电刺激时短时间释放。 释放后，这些分子扩散穿过狭窄的突触间隙，并与其靶细胞上的表面受体相互作用。 在过去 15 年里，人们发现了一类新的神经递质，它们以不同的方式发挥作用。 这些气态神经递质，包括一氧化氮和一氧化碳，是根据需要通过酶促产生的，并且可以扩散到细胞和组织中，与细胞内的生化途径相互作用。 在这两种气体中，人们对一氧化氮的功能及其在成人神经系统中的作用有了更多的了解。 例如，一氧化氮在行为攻击、学习和记忆以及嗅觉反应调节等多种系统中发挥着作用。 然而，该分子在神经系统发育中的功能仍有待阐明。 Leise 博士研究的初步数据表明，一氧化氮可能在发育中的神经系统中充当变态的天然抑制剂。 释放后，一氧化氮通常与鸟苷酸环化酶相互作用，以增强细胞内信使分子 cGMP 的产生，从而影响广泛的细胞生化。 为了确定典型的一氧化氮-鸟苷酸环化酶途径是否是控制变态的细胞系统的一部分，Leise 博士和她的同事将对一种海洋蜗牛进行一系列相关实验。 他们将使用药理学实验来阻止一氧化氮的产生，从而使变态得以进行。 他们将使用生化检测来测量变态之前、期间和之后的 cGMP 水平，他们还将使用免疫细胞化学程序来确定哪些细胞产生一氧化氮以及哪些细胞可能是含有鸟苷酸环化酶的目标。 这些研究将确定一氧化氮是否在控制变态的发生中发挥重要作用。 甚至人类在青春期经历的荷尔蒙变化中也保留了变态的痕迹，这种新的气态神经递质可能在这一重要的发育过程中发挥着作用。