Barbiturate-induced expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat cerebellum

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 754; no. 1; pp. 142 - 146
• Main Authors: Thompson, Chad M, Bernhard, Anne E, Strobel, Henry W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 18-04-1997
• Subjects: Animals; Barbiturate; Base Sequence; Cerebellum; Cerebellum - enzymology; Consensus Sequence; Cytochrome P-450; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System - genetics; Enzyme Induction - drug effects; Hydrocortisone - pharmacology; Kinetics; Male; Neurons - enzymology; Nitric Oxide Synthase - biosynthesis; Nitric Oxide Synthase - genetics; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; nNOS; Phenobarbital - pharmacology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Time Factors; Cerebellum; Barbiturate; nNOS; Cytochrome P-450
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00057-7

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is known to share some structural and functional similarities with the cytochrome P450 mixed function oxidase system. Unlike P450, it does not require a second enzyme, reductase, to transfer electrons. This characteristic is similar to P450
BM-3 of
Bacillus megaterium. P450
BM-3 and certain mammalian subfamilies of P450, such as P4502B, are known to be induced by phenobarbital (PB), and these P450s share a consensus sequence called the Barbie box. Because of the similarities nNOS shares with P450
BM-3 and other mammalian P450s, we have examined whether nNOS also responds to PB treatment. We have used semi-quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, a functional assay, and immunohistochemistry in order to answer this question. These data show a threefold increase in nNOS mRNA expression, more modest nNOS protein and activity induction, and no discernible changes in localization of nNOS within the cerebellum following PB treatment.