1. Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS and VIP in the mantle integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis
- Author
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A. Licata, Simona Pergolizzi, Patrizia Licata, Giacomo Zaccone, M. B. Ricca, L. Ainis, Silvestro Martella, and Concetta Calabrò
- Subjects
Male ,Histology ,Connective tissue ,Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ,Nitric Oxide ,Nerve Fibers ,medicine ,Animals ,Mantle (mollusc) ,Mollusca ,Neurons ,biology ,NADPH Dehydrogenase ,Dermis ,Cell Biology ,General Medicine ,Mussel ,Anatomy ,biology.organism_classification ,Immunohistochemistry ,Sperm ,Mytilus ,Bivalvia ,Cell biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Cholinergic Fibers ,Female ,Integument ,Nitric Oxide Synthase ,Adrenergic Fibers ,Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide - Abstract
Summary The phylogeny and functional roles of many bioactive compounds in the invertebrate integument are still unclear. In order to deal with this issue, we performed an immunohistochemical investigation of the integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis , to demonstrate the presence of nNOS- and VIP-positive nerve fibers in subepidermal connective tissue of the mantle. Positive nerve cell bodies were detected in this tissue as well as in cortex of sperm follicles, and adjacent to maturating oocytes and spermatocytes located in the thickness of the mantle. These results indicate involvement of a local inhibitory non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic (NANC) regulatory mechanism of epidermal functions, such as mucous secretion and ciliary beating. At the gonadic level, this mechanism probably regulates the cycle of maturation and release of the gametes in both sexes.
- Published
- 2003
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