Cells of the Larval Apical Ganglion Produce NO

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Cells of the Larval Apical Ganglion Produce NO

To determine where NO-producing neurons in larval Tritia might be located, Keow Thavaradhara Essig – MS degree 2000  conducted immunocytochemistry on competent and pre-competent larvae.  Her results indicated that most neurons of the apical ganglion display NOS-like immunoreactivity (NOS-IR), meaning that they most likely contain authentic nNOS and thus produce NO.  During larval development, the number of NOS-IR neurons increases.  The micrograph (Below) shows the head of a competent larva with NOS-immunoreactive neurons.  (Thavaradhara and Leise, 2001). Supported in part by NSF grant IBN-9604516.

Above: NOS-like immunoreactivity is expressed in neurons of the apical ganglion in the brain of a competent larva