Purkinje cells express neuronal nitric oxide synthase after methylmercury administration.

Abstract To study the effects of chemical injury on the cerebella nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we administered methylmercury chloride subcutaneously to mice, 10 mg/kg/day for 9 days. In the methylmercury-treated cerebellum, Purkinje cells were positive both for NADPH-diaphorase and for neuronal NOS. Calcium-dependent NOS activity was increased to 160% of the controls. The present study suggests the ability of Purkinje cells to produce NO through the expression of neuronal NOS.