Specificity and Range of NO/cGMP Signaling in the CNS

CNS 中 NO/cGMP 信号传导的特异性和范围

• 批准号: 0077812
• 负责人: Barry Trimmer
• 金额: $ 28.8万
• 依托单位: Tufts University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-09-01 至 2004-02-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0077812&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Specificity; Range; NO; cGMP; Signaling

0077812TrimmerRANGE AND SPECIFICITY OF NO/CGMP SIGNALING IN THE CNS Pi Barry A. Trimmer, Tufts UniversityOne of the biggest challenges in biology is to understand how the brain produces thought and actions. It is clear that these processes depend on complex communication between nerve cells (neurons) through the secretion of specific chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemical messages are non-nally detected and interpreted by receptor proteins on nearby cells. However, some neurons signal by the production of an unstable soluble gas, nitric oxide (NO). This unusual messenger was discovered only recently hence comparatively little is known about its role in the brain. This research project seeks to understand the special functions of nitric oxide when it is released from neurons. We have identified individual nitric oxide-producing and responding neurons in the living nervous system and our goal is to establish how they communicate. In particular, how far does nitric oxide spread in the brain and how is it targeted to specific neurons? These experiments use well-established electrophysiological methods together with a novel technology in which nitric oxide is localized using a fluorescent dye.Nitric oxide has important regulatory functions in the cardiovascular and immune systems but in the brain its ability to simultaneously contact vast numbers of neurons give it the potential to coordinate complex tasks. By exploring the mechanisms, specializations and limitations of nitric oxide signaling this research will help to understand how groups of neurons work together to produce appropriate behaviors.

0077812Trimmer CNS 中 NO/CGMP 信号传导的范围和特异性 Pi Barry A. Trimmer，塔夫茨大学 生物学中最大的挑战之一是了解大脑如何产生思想和行动。 显然，这些过程依赖于神经细胞（神经元）之间通过分泌称为神经递质的特定化学物质进行的复杂通信。 这些化学信息最终会被附近细胞上的受体蛋白检测和解释。 然而，一些神经元通过产生不稳定的可溶性气体一氧化氮（NO）来发出信号。 这种不寻常的信使最近才被发现，因此人们对它在大脑中的作用知之甚少。 该研究项目旨在了解一氧化氮从神经元释放时的特殊功能。 我们已经确定了活体神经系统中单个产生一氧化氮和做出反应的神经元，我们的目标是确定它们如何进行交流。 特别是，一氧化氮在大脑中传播多远以及它如何针对特定神经元？ 这些实验使用了完善的电生理学方法以及一种新技术，其中使用荧光染料定位一氧化氮。一氧化氮在心血管和免疫系统中具有重要的调节功能，但在大脑中，它同时接触大量神经元的能力使其具有协调复杂任务的潜力。 通过探索一氧化氮信号传导的机制、专门性和局限性，这项研究将有助于了解神经元群如何协同工作以产生适当的行为。