Expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and their possible functional role during the development of retina

• Grant number: 12/24396-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
• Grantee: Lais Takata Walter
• Host Institution: Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição (CMCC). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the nervous system, nitric oxide (NO) is associated with various physiological and pathological processes. In fact, in moderate concentrations NO may promote neuroprotection by inhibiting apoptosis, but in high concentrations can cause nitrosative and / or oxidative stress, which arises from the interaction with nitrated and oxygenated species. In addition, NO is related with important processes of the nervous system, such as synaptic plasticity. The physiological formation of this gas depends on the nitric oxide synthases (NOS), iNOS, nNOS and eNOS; whose name is related to the majority production in inflammatory processes, endothelium and neurons, respectively. Although structurally very similar, these enzymes possess different expression and regulation, and appear to play different roles in the body. In this design intend to evaluate the pattern expression of isoforms during development of the retina. For that, we will use combined techniques, such as real time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot. To assess the functional role of NO, we will employ specific NOS pharmacological inhibitors, both in organotypic cultures and in intraocular injections. With this project, our purpose is to elucidate the role of NO in processes related to the development of the nervous system, such as cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation and synaptogenesis. All reagents and equipment needed for the development of this proposal are available in the Neurobiology Laboratory at UFABC. Furthermore, this project will count with the collaboration of undergraduate and graduation students, in addition to young fellow researchers from our Institution.