Rola tlenku azotu w ośrodkowym układzie nerwowym u owadów

Abstrakt

Summary In nerve cells, the permeating short-lived signalling molecule of nitric oxide (NO) is generated by Ca2+ -calmodulin-stimulated NO synthase (NOS). Nitric oxide activates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in target cells, leading to the formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Biochemical studies have shown the presence of Ca2+ -calmodulin-regulated NO-cGMP signalling mechanism in the nervous system of insects. Molecular characterization of a Drosophila NOS gene has shown its 43% identity with the mammalian neuronal gene of NOS. This paper provides a short review of the cellular organization of nitric oxide signalling in the insect nervous system as well as information on its function in processing of olfactory information, memory formation, and the visual system, as well as in neuronal development.