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Monoclonal L-citrulline immunostaining reveals nitric oxide-producing vestibular neuronsNitric oxide is an unstable free radical that serves as a novel messenger molecule in the central nervous system (CNS). In order to understand the interplay between classic and novel chemical communication systems in vestibular pathways, the staining obtained using a monoclonal antibody directed against L-citrulline was compared with the labeling observed using more traditional markers for the presence of nitric oxide. Brainstem tissue from adult rats was processed for immunocytochemistry employing a monoclonal antibody directed against L-citrulline, a polyclonal antiserum against neuronal nitric oxide synthase, and/or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Our findings demonstrate that L-citrulline can be fixed in situ by vascular perfusion, and can be visualized in fixed CNS tissue sections by immunocytochemistry. Further, the same vestibular regions and cell types are labeled by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, by the neuronal nitric oxide synthase antiserum, and by our anti-L-citrulline antibody. Clusters of L-citrulline-immunoreactive neurons are present in subregions of the vestibular nuclei, including the caudal portion of the inferior vestibular nucleus, the magnocellular portion of the medial vestibular nucleus, and the large cells in the ventral tier of the lateral vestibular nucleus. NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining of these neurons clearly demonstrated their multipolar, fusiform and globular somata and long varicose dendritic processes. These results provide support for the suggestion that nitric oxide serves key roles in both vestibulo-autonomic and vestibulo-spinal pathways.
Document ID
20040088641
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Holstein, G. R.
(Mount Sinai School of Medicine New York, New York 10029, United States)
Friedrich, V. L. Jr
Martinelli, G. P.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume: 942
ISSN: 0077-8923
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DC 01705
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Neuroscience
Non-NASA Center

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