Putative No-Synthesizing Neurons of Lymnaea in Vivo and in Vitro (original) (raw)

Neth J Zool, 1993

Abstract

ABSTRACT The distribution of putative nitric oxide synthase- (NOS) containing neurons in the CNS and peripheral tissues of the freshwater pulmonate molluscs, Lymnaea stagnalis, Helisoma trivolvis and Biomphalaria sp. was investigated using NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry and NOS-immunolabelling. NADPH-d-positive cells were found in most of the central ganglia but their distribution was different from that of other ncurotransmitters. Comparison of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the CNS of Lymnaea, Helisoma and Biomphalaria showed that bulinid snails contained more NADPH-d positive neurons in the CNS, especially in the cerebral ganglia, compared to Lymnaea. Some of previously identified neurons were found to be NADPH-d-positive (e.g. a buccal gut motoneuron B2 in Lymnaea and its homologues B5 in the bulinids). In addition, the right parietal light yellow' cluster cells (LYC) were also weakly stained in Lymnaea both with NOS antibodies and NADPH-d. Neurons B2 and LYC were isolated and maintained in culture under conditions that support neurite outgrowth. In culture, both B2 and LYC were stained by NADPH-d similar to that observed in whole mount preparations. In addition to cell somata, intense NADPH-d positive staining was observed in the growth cone and at the tips of filopodia of B2 neurons. We suggest that NO (or related substances) is involved in neuronal signalling in molluscan species.

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