Nitric Oxide Signaling in a Model Olfactory System

一氧化氮(NO)是一种小的气态自由基分子，可以介导细胞信号转导 对血管、免疫和神经系统的正常运作至关重要。在紧张中 系统，它的能力，跨越细胞膜和调解之间的细胞之间的通讯在没有 专门的突触机制使其具有传统突触无法企及的力量和灵活性 神经递质。高水平的一氧化氮合酶(产生一氧化氮的酶)的表达 导致了一种假设，即NO在初级嗅神经纤维内介导和/或调节信号。 这一观点得到了加强，因为观察到， 初级嗅觉神经垫可能是调节像NO这样的小分子扩散的理想选择。 这一建议利用了昆虫嗅觉相对简单但平行的组织 系统来研究初级嗅神经纤维中NO信号的功能。我们会 研究NO在嗅觉系统中的产生、扩散和功能。这件事会做到的 通过运用一批专家研究人员的才华来完成以下三个具体目标： (1)描述气味诱导的NO在AL内的产生和扩散。(2)描述 NO信号在AL神经元中的功能作用。(3)描述行为后果的特征 干扰AL中的无信号。 成功完成这些具体目标将导致非常详细的理解 NO在该模型嗅觉系统功能中的作用。这一理解将产生对 这个重要的信号系统在包括人类在内的其他生物中的功能。此外，这些 洞察力可能会成为其他实验的基础，这些实验旨在研究这一非常 在其他嗅觉系统和神经系统中都是重要的信号分子。

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, gaseous free radical molecule that can mediate cellular signaling that is critical for the proper functioning of the vascular, immune and nervous systems. Within the nervous system, its ability to cross cell membranes and mediate communication between cells in the absence of specialized synaptic machinery gives it a power and flexibility not possible for conventional neurotransmitters. High levels of nitric oxide synthase (the enzyme that generates NO) expression has led to the hypothesis that NO mediates and/or modulates signaling within the primary olfactory neuropil. This idea has been strengthened by the observation that the hallmark spheroidal structures within the primary olfactory neuropil could be ideal to regulate the diffusion of a small molecule such as NO. This proposal takes advantage of the relative simplicity, but parallel organization of an insect olfactory system to investigate the function of NO signaling within the primary olfactory neuropil. We will investigate the production, diffusion, and function of NO within the olfactory system. This will be done by applying the talents of a group of expert researchers to complete the following three specific aims: (1) Characterize odor-induced NO production and diffusion within the AL. (2) Characterize the functional roles of NO signaling in AL neurons. (3) Characterize the behavioral consequences of interfering with NO signaling in the AL. The successful completion of these specific aims will result in a very detailed understanding of the role of NO in the function of this model olfactory system. This understanding will yield insight into the function of this important signaling system in other organisms including humans. In addition, these insights will likely serve as the basis for other experiments designed to examine the role of this very important signaling molecule both in other olfactory systems and in the nervous system in general.