%A Bell, Balyssa
%A Cole, Michael
%A Jacobs, Geoff
%D 2008
%T  Simultaneous application of H 2 S and inhibition of its endogenous production induces disparate synaptic response at the crayfish neuromuscular junction
%K 
%X Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) has recently been identified as a gaseous neuromodulator of synaptic transmission. Within the cell, H 2 S is synthesized via two distinct enzymatic pathways, one beginning with cystathionine ?-synthase (CBS) and the other with cystathionine ?-lyase (CSE). The objective of our research was to examine the role of H 2 S, CBS, and CSE in synaptic transmission of the crayfish, a model organism in which, to our knowledge, no previous studies of this sort have been performed. To do so, we electrically induced an excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP), the amplitude of which is indicative of the extent of synaptic transmission. Measurements were taken under various chemical treatments: exogenous H 2 S, CBS inhibition, CSE inhibition, or any combination thereof. Our results suggest that CBS plays a minor role in H 2 S production whereas the role of CSE is more substantial. The presence of exogenous H 2 S alone appears to have little impact, but in conjunction with a CBS or CSE inhibitor, H2S has two divergent responses. Most significant are the enlarged EPSPs that result from the application of a CSE inhibitor along with exogenous H 2 S.
%U https://ojs.grinnell.edu/index.php/pnsj/article/view/90
%J Pioneering Neuroscience
%0 Journal Article
%P 5-8%V 9
%8 2008-12-18