Characterization of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and transcriptional analysis of its related genes in Saccharina japonica(Laminariales,Phaeophyta)

Saccharina japonica is a common macroalga in sublittoral communities of cold seawater environments, and consequently may have highly efficient ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase （Rubisco） activity for carbon assimilation. In our study, we cloned the full-length Rubisco gene from S.japonica （SJ-rbc）. It contained an open reading frame for a large subunit gene （SJ-rbcL） of 1 467 bp, a small subunit gene （SJ-rbcS） of 420 bp, and a SJ-rbcL/S intergenie spacer of 269 bp. The deduced peptides of SJ-rbcL and SJ-rbcS were 488 and 139 amino acids with theoretical molecular weights and isoelectric points of 53.97 kDa, 5.81 and 15,84 kDa, 4.71, respectively. After induction with 1 mmol/L isopropyl-β-D- thiogalactopyranoside for 5 h and purification by Ni2＋ affinity chromatography, electrophoresis and western blot detection demonstrated successful expression of the 55 kDa SJ-rbcL protein. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the mRNA levels of SJ-rbcL in gametophytes increased when transferred into normal growth conditions and exhibited diurnal variations： increased expression during the day but suppressed expression at night. This observation implied that Rubisco played a role in normal gametophytic growth and development. In juvenile sporophytes, mRNA levels of SJ-rbcL, carbonic anhydrase, Calvin-Benson- Bassham cycle-related enzyme, and chloroplast light-harvesting protein were remarkably increased under continuous light irradiance. Similarly, expression of these genes was up-regulated under blue light irradiance at 350 umol/（m2.s）. Our results indicate that long-term white light and short-term blue light irradiance enhances juvenile sporophytic growth by synergistic effects of various photosynthetic elements.

IMMOBILIZATION AND SUBUNIT RECONSTITUTION OF RIBULOSE-1, 5-BISPHOSPHATE CARBOXYLASE/OXYGENASE FROM RICE

Ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase ( EC 4.1.1.39 ) ( RuBP carboxylase ) is a bifunctional enzyme which catalyzes both carboxylation and oxygenation of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate (RuBP). These reactions are the first step in photosynthetic carbon fixation and photorespiration respectively. Because of its key role in the formation of plant yield, many studies on the structure of active-site and catalytic mechanism of this enzyme have

Chemical synthesis of a structure gene coding for small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from tobacco

A structural gene with 385 bp, which codes for the mature small subunit (rbcS) of ribulose-1,5-bi9phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from tobacco, has been redesigned according to the codon usage of E.coli and chemically synthesized. To facilitate the systematic investigation of structure-functional relationship of the rbcS by site-specific mutagenesis, twenty one unique restriction sites distributed throughout the synthetic gene were designed. Gene synthesis was started from chemically synthesizing sixteen oligonucleotides each with 23-66 nucleotides, and these oligonu-cleotides were annealed to form eight duplexes from which 5'- and 3'- two half molecules were formed by stepwise T4 DNA ligase reaction, and then each half molecule was cloned into plasmid pWR13, after that, two half molecules were further confirmed by DNA sequencing, finally both half molecules excised from the cloning plasmid were recombinated to form plasmid pCOTrbcS containing the whole structural gene for tobacco rbcS.

PROPERTIES OF RuBP CARBOXYLASE/OXYGENASE IN A MUTANT TOBACCO

The aurea mutant （Su/su）of tobacco is a nuclear mutation found in Nicotiana tobacum Var. John Williams Broadleaf （Su/su）. Under greenhouse conditions and atmosphere CO2 levels, the yellow mutant tobacco （Su/su） grows much slower than the dark green wild type （su/su）. Zelitch reported that the yellow mutant has a higher photorespiratory rate and a lower net rate of photosynthesis, compared with the wild type. RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase is a key enzyme in photosynthesis and photorespiration, and the small subunit of the enzyme is nuclear-encoded. This study was designed to examine if the nuclear gene mutation influenced the structure and properties of the enzyme.

Photosynthetic Characteristics of Transgenic Rice Plants Overexpressing Maize Phosphoenopyruvate Carboxylase

用转PEPC、PPDK、NADP_ME、PEPC +PPDK 双基因水稻 (OryzasativaL .)及原种为材料 ,以光合酶活性、饱和光合速率及PSⅡ光化学效率 (Fv/Fm)为指标 ,研究了转PEPC基因水稻的光合生理特征。结果如下 :转PEPC基因水稻PEPC活性比原种提高 2 0倍 ;饱和光合速率比原种高 5 5 % ;用高光强或人工光氧化剂甲基紫精 (MV)处理后 ,与原种相比 ,转PEPC基因水稻光化学效率下降较少 ,证明其耐光抑制、耐光氧化能力增强 ,测定其光合日变化看出 :在 1d中不同时间 ,转PEPC基因水稻的光合速率均高于原种 ,且与PEPC活性的日变化有相似的趋势。上述结果为转PEPC基因水稻的生理机制和育种研究提供了依据和途径。

Preliminary Study on Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase(PEPCase) Gene Introduced into Wheat

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to introduce Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase （PEPCase） gene into common wheat Linyou 145. [ Method] With the material of common wheat Linyou 145, Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase （PEPCase） gene was introduced into wheat embryo callus by the agrobacterium-mediated transformation system, and then analyzed through successive selection with selective medium con- taing gygrornycin to detect the gene at the molecular level. [Result] The hyg-resistant plants were obtained, and GUS histochemical staining showed the leaf of resistant plants was stained dark blue. The target bands appeared in PCR analysis. [ Conclusion] Phosphoenolpyruvate Car- boxylase （PEPCase） gene has been primarily introduced into the recipient material.

Heme Oxygenase-1对乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡的保护作用

目的研究血红蛋白氧化酶-1(Heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)在乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡模型中所起的作用及可能的机制.方法雄性 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠,体质量160 g～180 g,每组8只,乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡1,3,7 d 后用 RT-PCR,Westernblotting 和免疫组织化学分别检测胃粘膜中 HO-1和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide Synthase,iNOS)的表达.同时研究 HO-1抑制剂 tin mesoporphyrin(snMP)对 iNOS 表达、活性及胃粘膜损伤的影响.结果 RT-PCR 结果显示正常大鼠胃粘膜 HO-1仅轻度表达,乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡后,胃粘膜内 HO-1表达明显增强.HO 抑制剂 SnMP 处理组大鼠溃疡面积1 d 为(72±6)mm^2,明显大于对照组(51±4)mm^2,(P<0.01);3 d 为(51±4)mm^2,明显大于对照组(35±4)mm^2,(P<0.01);7 d 时(27±4)mm^2和对照组(24±3)mm^2无显著差异.同时 SnMP 能显著增强胃粘膜 iNOS的表达及 iNOS 的活性,溃疡诱导1 d SnMP 组 iNOS 的活性为5.6±0.3,对照组3.2±0.3(P<0.01);3 d SnMP 组6.4±0.6,对照组4.0±0.3(P<0.01);7 d SnMP 组0.6±0.1,对照组0.5±0.1无显著差异(单位,pmol[~3H]瓜氨酸·min^(-1)·g^(-1)蛋白).结论在乙酸诱导的大鼠胃溃疡模型中,HO-1对胃粘膜具有一定的保护作用,抑制 HO-1后加重胃粘膜损伤,同时伴 iNOS表达和活性的增强.提示 HO-1的粘膜保护作用可能通过抑制iNOS 功能,减少一氧化氮产生所介导的.

Heme Oxygenase-1对乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡的保护作用

目的研究血红蛋白氧化酶-1(Hemeoxygenase-1,HO-1)在乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡模型中所起的作用及可能的机制.方法♂Sprague-Dawley大鼠,体质量160g～180g,每组8只,乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡1,3,7d后用RT-PCR,Westemblotting和免疫组织化学分别检测胃粘膜中HO-1和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(induciblenitricoxidesynthase,iNOS)的表达.同时研究HO-1抑制剂tinmesoporphyrin(SnMP)对iNOS表达、活性及胃粘膜损伤的影响.结果RT-PCR结果显示正常大鼠胃粘膜HO-1仅轻度表达,乙酸诱导大鼠胃溃疡后,胃粘膜内HO-1表达明显增强.HO抑制剂Sn-MP处理组大鼠溃疡面积1d为(72±6)mm2,明显大于对照(51±4)mm2,(P<0.01);3d为(51±4)mm2,明显大于对照(35±4)mm2,(P<0.01),7d时(27±4)mm2和对照(24±3)mm2无显著差异,同时Sn-MP能显著增强胃粘膜iNOS的表达及iNOS的活性,溃疡诱导1dSn-MP组iNOS的活性为5.6±0.3,对照3.2±0.3(P<0.01);3dSn-MP组6.4±0.6,对照4.0±0.3(P<0.01);7dSn-MP组0.6±0.1,对照0.5±0.1无显著差异(单位,pmol[3H])瓜氨酸.min-1@g-1蛋白).结论在乙酸诱导的大鼠胃溃疡模型中,HO-1对胃粘膜具有一定的保护作用,抑制HO-1后加重胃粘膜损伤,同时伴iNOS表达和活性的增强.提示HO-1的粘膜保护作用可能通过抑制iNOS功能,减少一氧化氮产生所介导的.

Heme oxygenase system in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) limits access to transplantation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a powerful antioxidant enzyme which degrades free heme into biliverdin,free iron and carbon monoxide. HO-1 and its metabolites have the ability to modulate a wide variety of inflammatory disorders including hepatic IRI. Mechanisms of this protective effect include reduction of oxygen free radicals,alteration of macrophage and T cell phenotype. Further work is required to understand the physiological importance of the many actions of HO-1 identified experimentally,and to harness the protective effect of HO-1 for therapeutic potential.

Heme oxygenase-1 and gut ischemia/reperfusion injury: A short review

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the gut is a significant problem in a variety of clinical settings and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Although the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of gut I/R injury have not been fully elucidated, it is generally believed that oxidative stress with subsequent inflammatory injury plays an important role. Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of heme, followed by production of CO, biliverdin, and free iron. The HO system is believed to confer cytoprotection by inhibiting inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis, and maintaining microcirculation. HO-1, an inducible form of HO, serves a vital metabolic function as the rate-limiting step in the heme degradation pathway, and affords protection in models of intestinal I/R injury. HO-1 system is an important player in intestinal I/R injury condition, and may offer new targets for the management of this condition.

Cytoprotective role of heme oxygenase-1 and heme degradation derived end products in liver injury

The activation of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) appears to be an endogenous defensive mechanism used by cells to reduce inflammation and tissue damage in a number of injury models. HO-1, a stress-responsive enzyme that catabolizes heme into carbon monoxide(CO), biliverdin and iron, has previously been shown to protect grafts from ischemia/reperfusion and rejection.In addition, the products of the HO-catalyzed reaction, particularly CO and biliverdin/bilirubin, have been shown to exert protective effects in the liver against a number of stimuli, as in chronic hepatitis C and in transplanted liver grafts. Furthermore, the induction of HO-1 expression can protect the liver against damage caused by a number of chemical compounds. More specifically, the CO derived from HO-1-mediated heme catabolism has been shown to be involved in the regulation of inflammation; furthermore, administration of low concentrations of exogenous CO has a protective effect against inflammation. Both murine and human HO-1 deficiencies have systemic manifestations associated with iron metabolism, such as hepatic overload(with signs of a chronic hepatitis) and iron deficiency anemia(with paradoxical increased levels of ferritin).Hypoxia induces HO-1 expression in multiple rodent,bovine and monkey cell lines, but interestingly, hypoxia represses expression of the human HO-1 gene in a variety of human cell types(endothelial cells, epithelial cells, T cells). These data suggest that HO-1 and CO are promising novel therapeutic molecules for patients with inflammatory diseases. In this review, we present what is currently known regarding the role of HO-1 in liver injuries and in particular, we focus on the implications of targeted induction of HO-1 as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect the liver against chemically induced injury.

Heme oxygenase-1 as a therapeutic target in inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is the inducible isoform of the first and rate-limiting enzyme of heme degradation. HO-1 not only protects against oxidative stress and apoptosis, but has received a great deal of attention in recent years because ofits potent anti-inflammatory functions. Studies with HO-1 knockout animal models have led to major advances in the understanding of how HO-1 might regulate inflammatory immune responses, although little is known on the underlying mechanisms. Due to its beneficial effects the targeted induction of this enzyme is considered to have major therapeutic po- tential for the treatment ofinflammatory disorders. This review discusses current knowledge on the mechanisms that mediate anti-inflammatory protection by HO-1. More specifically, the article deals with the role of HO-1 in the pathophysiology of viral hepatitis, inflammatorybowel disease, and pancreatitis. The effects of specific HO-1 modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy in experimental cell culture and animal models of these gastrointestinal disorders are summarized. In conclusion, targeted regulation of HO-1 holds major promise for future clinical interventions in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Identification and Expression Analysis of the Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Gene Family in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase （PEPC） is widely distributed in plants and bacteria, and catalyzes the carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate to form oxaloacetate and inorganic phosphate. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the regulation and control of peanut oil, with the degenerated primers and RACE-PCR approach, five PEPC genes were cloned from peanut, and designated as AhPEPC1, AhPEPC2, AhPEPC3, AhPEPC4, and AhPEPC5, respectively. The structure and phylogenetic analysis of PEPC protein indicated that AhPEPC1-4 genes encoded a typical plant-type PEPC-enzyme, and AhPEPC5 a bacterial-type. By real-time quantitative RT-PCR approach the expression pattern of each gene was detected in various tissues of normal and high oil-content peanut varieties. It was found that there was a lower expression level of AhPEPCs genes except for the AhPEPC2 in high-oil peanut than normal-oil peanut line. The results provide some fundamental information for the further investigation of plant PEPC proteins and their role in regulation of oil-content in peanut seeds.

Functional Analysis of the Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase on the Lipid Accumulation of Peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.) Seeds

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase（PEPC;EC 4.1.1.31） catalyses phosphoenolpyruvate（PEP） to yield oxaloacetate,which is involved in protein biosynthesis.Pyruvate kinase（PK;EC 2.7.1.40） catalyzes PEP to yield pyruvate,which is involved in fatty acid synthesis.In this study,five PEPC genes（AhPEPC1,AhPEPC2,AhPEPC3,AhPEPC4,and AhPEPC5） from peanut have been cloned.Using a quantitative real-time RT-PCR approach,the expression pattern of each gene was monitored during the seed development of four peanut varieties（E11,Hebeigaoyou,Naihan 1,and Huayu 26）.It was found that these five genes shared similar expression behaviors over the developmental stages of E11 with high expression levels at 30 and 40 d after pegging（DAP）;whereas these five genes showed irregular expression patterns during the seed development of Hebeigaoyou.In Naihan 1 and Huayu 26,the expression levels of the five genes remained relatively high in the first stage.The PEPC activity was monitored during the seed development of four peanut varieties and seed oil content was also characterized during whole period of seed development.The PEPC activity followed the oil accumulation pattern during the early stages of development but they showed a significantly negative correlation thereafter.These results suggested that PEPC may play an important role in lipid accumulation during the seed development of four peanut varieties tested.

Assessment of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） activity in the cavernous tissues of sildenafil citrate-treated rats

Aim： To assess heine oxygenase-1 （HO-1） activity in the cavemous tissue of sildenafil citrate-treated rats. Methods： One hundred and ninety-two Sprague-Dawley male rats, divided into four equal groups, were investigated. Group 1, the control group, received regular animal chow; group 2 received sildenafil citrate by intragastric tube; group 3 received sildenafil and HO inhibitor （zinc protoporphyrin, ZnPP）; and group 4 received sildenafil and nitric oxide synthase （NOS） inhibitor L-nitroarginine methyl ester （L-NAME）. Twelve rats from each group were killed after 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h of drug administration. Then HO-1 activity, cGMP levels and NOS enzymatic activity in the cavernous tissues were estimated. Results： In cavemous tissue, HO-1 activity, NOS enzymatic activity and cGMP concentration increased significantly in sildenafil-treated rats compared to other groups throughout the experiment. Rats receiving either HO or NOS inhibitors showed a significant decrease in these parameters. HO- 1 cavemous tissue activity and NOS enzymatic activity demonstrated a positive significant correlation with cGMP levels （r = 0.646, r = 0.612 respectively; P 〈 0.001）. Conclusion： The actions of PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil citrate in the cavernous tissue are partly mediated through the interdependent relationship between both HO-1 and NOS activities.

Nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase expressions in human liver cirrhosis

AIM： Portal hypertension is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic pressure can be elevated in several ways. Abnormal architecture affecting the vasculature, an increase in vasoconstrictors and increased circulation from the splanchnic viscera into the portal system may all contribute. It follows that endogenous vasodilators may be able to alleviate the hypertension. We therefore aimed to investigate the levels of endogenous vasodilators, nitric oxide （NO） and carbon monoxide （CO） through the expression of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and heme oxygenase （HO）. METHOD： Cirrhotic （n = 20） and non-cirrhotic （n = 20） livers were obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. The mRNA and protein expressions of the various isoforms of NOS and HO were examined using competitive PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： There was no significant change in either inducible NOS （iNOS） or neuronal NOS （nNOS） expressions while endothelial NOS （eNOS） was up- regulated in cirrhotic livers. Concomitantly, caveolin-1, an established down-regulator of eNOS, was upregulated. Inducible HO-1 and constitutive HO-2 were found to show increased expression in cirrhotic livers albeit in different Iocalizations. CONCLUSION： The differences of NOS expression might be due to their differing roles in maintaining liver homeostasis and/or involvement in the pathology of cirrhosis. Sheer stress within the hypertensive liver may induce increased expression of eNOS. In turn, caveolin-1 is also increased. Whether this serves as a defense mechanism against further cirrhosis or is a consequence of cirrhosis, is yet unknown. The elevated expression of HO-1 and HO-2 suggest that CO may compensate in its role as a vasodilator albeit weakly. It is possible that CO and NO have parallel or coordinated functions within the liver and may work antagonistically in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension.

Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 protects smooth muscle cells against oxidative injury and inhibits cell proliferation

To investigate whether the expression of exogenous heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene within vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) could protect the cells from free radical attack and inhibit cell proliferation, we established an in vitro transfection of human HO-1 gene into rat VSMC mediated by a retroviral vector. The results showed that the profound expression of HO-1 protein as well as HO activity was 1.8- and 2.0-fold increased respectively in the transfected cells compared to the non-transfected ones. The treatment of VSMC with different concentrations of H2O2 led to the remarkable cell damage as indicated by survival rate and LDH leakage. However, the resistance of the HO-1 transfected VSMC against H2O2 was significantly raised. This protective effect was dramatically diminished when the transfected VSMC were pretreated with ZnPP-IX, a specific inhibitor of HO, for 24 h. In addition, we found that the growth potential of the transfected cells was significantly inhibited directly by increased activity of HO-1, and this effect might be related to decreased phosphorylation of MAPK. These results suggest that the overexpression of introduced hHO-1 is potentially able to reduce the risk factors of atherosclerosis, partially due to its cellular protection against oxidative injury and to its inhibitory effect on cellular proliferation.

Adeno-associated virus-mediated heme oxygenase-1 gene transfer suppresses the progression of micronodular cirrhosis in rats

AIM： To test the hypothesis that enhancement of the activity of heine oxygenase can interfere with processes of fibrogenesis associated with recurrent liver injury, we investigated the therapeutic potential of over-expression of heine oxygense-1 in a CCl4-induced micronodular cirrhosis model. METHODS： Recombinant adeno-associated viruses carrying rat HO-1 or GFP gene were generated, 1×10^12 vg of adeno-associated viruses were administered through portal injection at the time of the induction of liver fibrosis. RESULTS： Conditioning the rat liver with over-expression of HO-1 by rAAV/HO-1 significantly increased the HO enzymatic activities in a stable manner. The development of micronodular cirrhosis was significantly inhibited in rAAV/HO-1-transduced animals as compared to controls. Portal hypertension was markedly diminished in rAAV/HO-1-transduced animals as compared to controls, whereas there are no significant changes in systolic blood pressure. This finding was accompanied with improved liver biochemistry, less infiltrating macrophages and less activated hepatic stellate cells （HSCs） in rAAV/ HO-1-transduced livers. CONCLUSIONS： Enhancement of HO activity in the livers suppresses the development of cirrhosis.

Rosmarinic acid elicits neuroprotection in ischemic stroke via Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 signaling

Rosmarinic acid（RA） can elicit a neuroprotective effect against ischemic stroke, but the precise molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, an experimental ischemic stroke model was established in CD-1 mice（Beijing Vital River Laboratory Animal Technology, Beijing, China） by occluding the right middle cerebral artery for 1 hour and allowing reperfusion for 24 hours. After intraperitoneally injecting model mice with 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg RA, functional neurological deficits were evaluated using modified Longa scores. Subsequently, cerebral infarct volume was measured using TTC staining and ischemic brain tissue was examined for cell apoptosis with TUNEL staining. Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels were measured by spectrophometry. Expression of heme oxygenase-1（HO-1）, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）, Bcl-2, Bax, Akt, and phospho-Ser473 Akt proteins in ischemic brain tissue was detected by western blot, while mRNA levels of Nrf2, HO-1, Bcl-2, and Bax were analyzed using real time quantitative PCR. In addition, HO-1 enzyme activity was measured spectrophotometrically. RA（20 and 40 mg/kg） greatly improved neurological function, reduced infarct volume, decreased cell apoptosis, upregulated Bcl-2 protein and mRNA expression, downregulated Bax protein and mRNA expression, increased HO-1 and Nrf2 protein and mRNA expression, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased malondialdehyde levels in ischemic brain tissue of model mice. However, intraperitoneal injection of a HO-1 inhibitor（10 mg/kg zinc protoporphyrin IX） reversed the neuroprotective effects of RA on HO-1 enzyme activity and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. The PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002（10 mM） inhibited Akt phosphorylation, as well as Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Our findings suggest that RA has anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties that protect against ischemic stroke by a mechanism involving upregulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression via the PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway.

Region-dependent effects of diabetes and insulin-replacement on neuronal nitric oxide synthase-and heme oxygenase-immunoreactive submucous neurons

AIM To investigate the intestinal segment-specific effects of diabetes and insulin replacement on the density of different subpopulations of submucous neurons. METHODS Ten weeks after the onset of type 1 diabetes samples were taken from the duodenum, ileum and colon of streptozotocin-induce diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic and sex-and age-matched control rats. Whole-mount preparations of submucous plexus were prepared from the different gut segments for quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry. The following double-immunostainings were performed: neuronal nitric oxide synthase(n NOS) and Hu C/D, heme oxygenase(HO) 1 and peripherin, as well as HO2 and peripherin. The density of n NOS-, HO1-and HO2-immunoreactive(IR) neurons was determined as a percentage of the total number of submucous neurons. RESULTS The total number of submucous neurons and the proportion of n NOS-, HO1-and HO2-IR subpopulations were not affected in the duodenal ganglia of control, diabetic and insulin-treated rats. While the total neuronal number did not change in either the ileum or the colon, the density of nitrergic neurons exhibited a 2-and 3-fold increase in the diabetic ileum and colon, respectively, which was further enhanced after insulin replacement. The presence of HO1-and HO2-IR submucous neurons was robust in the colon of controls(38.4%-50.8%), whereas it was significantly lower in the small intestinal segments(0.0%-4.2%, P < 0.0001). Under pathophysiological conditions the only alteration detected was an increase in the ileum and a decrease in the colon of the proportion of HO-IR neurons in insulin-treated diabetic animals. CONCLUSION Diabetes and immediate insulin replacement induce the most pronounced region-specific alterations of n NOS-, HO1-and HO2-IR submucous neuronal density in the distal parts of the gut.