LOCALIZATION OF NADPH DIAPHORASE IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE CHITON LEPTOCHITON ASSIMILIS IN THE NORM AND AFTER HYPOXIA

E. P. Kotsyuba

Institute of Marine Biology, Far East Department of the RAS, Vladivostok, Russia;
e-mail: inmarbio@mail.primorye.ru

By light and electron microscope histochemical and cytochemical methods, the localization and activity of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) were studied in the central nervous system (CNS) of the chiton in control and after hypoxia. After acute hypoxia, the enzymatic activity increased in all regions of CNS. At a chronic hypoxia, the activity of NADPH-d decreased to remain, however, higher than in control. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the availability of structural changes in neurons, and shifts in the activity of NADPH-d in control and in experimental mollusks. The elevated enzymatic activity revealed in this study may be due to the fact that these mollusks have been evolutionary adapted to a periodical oxygen deficiency.

---

Back    Contents    Main