Nitric oxide increases the spontaneous firing rate of rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons in vitro via a cyclic GMP-mediated PKG-independent mechanism

Nitric oxide regulates the firing rate of neuronal subtypes in the guinea pig ventral cochlear nucleus

The gaseous free radical, nitric oxide (NO) acts as a ubiquitous neuromodulator, contributing to synaptic plasticity in a complex way that can involve either long term potentiation or depression. It is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) which is presynaptically expressed and also located postsynaptically in the membrane and cytoplasm of a subpopulation of each major neuronal type in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN). We have used iontophoresis in vivo to study the effect of the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester) and the NO donors SIN-1 (3-Morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride) and SNOG (S-Nitrosoglutathione) on VCN units under urethane anaesthesia. Collectively, both donors produced increases and decreases in driven and spontaneous firing rates of some neurones. Inhibition of endogenous NO production with L-NAME evoked a consistent increase in driven firing rates in 18% of units without much effect on spontaneous rate. This reduction of gain produced by endogenous NO was mirrored when studying the effect of L-NAME on NMDA(N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid)-evoked excitation, with 30% of units showing enhanced NMDA-evoked excitation during L-NAME application (reduced NO levels). Approximately 25% of neurones contain nNOS and the NO produced can modulate the firing rate of the main principal cells: medium stellates (choppers), large stellates (onset responses) and bushy cells (primary-like responses). The main endogenous role of NO seems to be to partly suppress driven firing rates associated with NMDA channel activity but there is scope for it to increase neural gain if there were a pathological increase in its production following hearing loss.

Altered Nup153 Expression Impairs the Function of Cultured Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells Isolated from a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis is an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD), playing a crucial role in cognitive dysfunction associated with this pathology. However, the mechanisms underlying defective neurogenesis in AD are still unclear. Recently, the nucleoporin Nup153 has been described as a new epigenetic determinant of adult neural stem cell (NSC) maintenance and fate. Here we investigated whether Nup153 dysfunction could affect the plasticity of NSCs in AD. Nup153 expression was strongly reduced in AD-NSCs, as well as its interaction with the transcription factor Sox2, a master regulator of NSC stemness and their neuronal differentiation. Similar Nup153 reduction was also observed in WT-NSCs treated with amyloid-β (Aβ) or stimulated with a nitric oxide donor. Accordingly, AD-NSCs treated with either a γ-secretase inhibitor or antioxidant compounds showed higher Nup153 levels suggesting that both nitrosative stress and Aβ accumulation affect Nup153 expression. Of note, restoration of Nup153 levels in AD-NSCs promoted their proliferation, as assessed by BrdU incorporation, neurosphere assay, and stemness gene expression analysis. Nup153 overexpression also recovered AD-NSC response to differentiation, increasing the expression of pro-neuronal genes, the percentage of cells positive for neuronal markers, and the acquisition of a more mature neuronal phenotype. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that neurons differentiated from Nup153-transfected AD-NSCs displayed higher Na⁺ current density, comparable to those deriving from WT-NSCs. Our data uncover a novel role for Nup153 in NSCs from animal model of AD and point to Nup153 as potential target to restore physiological NSC behavior and fate in neurodegenerative diseases.

Intraneuronal Aβ accumulation induces hippocampal neuron hyperexcitability through A-type K(+) current inhibition mediated by activation of caspases and GSK-3

Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) pathologies have been linked to dysfunction of excitability in neurons of the hippocampal circuit, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process are still poorly understood. Here, we applied whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to primary hippocampal neurons and show that intracellular Aβ42 delivery leads to increased spike discharge and action potential broadening through downregulation of A-type K(+) currents. Pharmacologic studies showed that caspases and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) activation are required for these Aβ42-induced effects. Extracellular perfusion and subsequent internalization of Aβ42 increase spike discharge and promote GSK-3-dependent phosphorylation of the Kv4.2 α-subunit, a molecular determinant of A-type K(+) currents, at Ser-616. In acute hippocampal slices derived from an adult triple-transgenic Alzheimer's mouse model, characterized by endogenous intracellular accumulation of Aβ42, CA1 pyramidal neurons exhibit hyperexcitability accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Kv4.2 at Ser-616. Collectively, these data suggest that intraneuronal Aβ42 accumulation leads to an intracellular cascade culminating into caspases activation and GSK-3-dependent phosphorylation of Kv4.2 channels. These findings provide new insights into the toxic mechanisms triggered by intracellular Aβ42 and offer potentially new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

A novel carboline derivative inhibits nitric oxide formation in macrophages independent of effects on tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1β expression

Neuropathic pain is a maladaptive immune response to peripheral nerve injury that causes a chronic painful condition refractory to most analgesics. Nitric oxide (NO), which is produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOSs), has been implicated as a key factor in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. β-Carbolines are a large group of natural and synthetic indole alkaloids, some of which block activation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), a predominant transcriptional regulator of NOS expression. Here, we characterize the inhibitory effects of a novel 6-chloro-8-(glycinyl)-amino-β-carboline (8-Gly carb) on NO formation and NF-κB activation in macrophages. 8-Gly carb was significantly more potent than the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in inhibiting constitutive and inducible NO formation in primary rat macrophages. 8-Gly carb interfered with NF-κB-mediated gene expression in differentiated THP1-XBlue cells, a human NF-κB reporter macrophage cell line, but only at concentrations severalfold higher than needed to significantly inhibit NO production. 8-Gly carb also had no effect on tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in differentiated THP1 cells, and did not inhibit lipopolysaccharide- or TNFα-stimulated expression of TNFα and interleukin-1β. These data demonstrate that relative to other carbolines and pharmacologic inhibitors of NOS, 8-Gly carb exhibits a unique pharmacological profile by inhibiting constitutive and inducible NO formation independent of NF-κB activation and cytokine expression. Thus, this novel carboline derivative holds promise as a parent compound, leading to therapeutic agents that prevent the development of neuropathic pain mediated by macrophage-derived NO without interfering with cytokine expression required for neural recovery following peripheral nerve injury.

New perspectives in cyclic nucleotide-mediated functions in the CNS: the emerging role of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels

Cyclic nucleotides play fundamental roles in the central nervous system (CNS) under both physiological and pathological conditions. The impact of cAMP and cGMP signaling on neuronal and glial cell functions has been thoroughly characterized. Most of their effects have been related to cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase activity. However, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, first described as key mediators of sensory transduction in retinal and olfactory receptors, have been receiving increasing attention as possible targets of cyclic nucleotides in the CNS. In the last 15 years, consistent evidence has emerged for their expression in neurons and astrocytes of the rodent brain. Far less is known, however, about the functional role of CNG channels in these cells, although several of their features, such as Ca(2+) permeability and prolonged activation in the presence of cyclic nucleotides, make them ideal candidates for mediators of physiological functions in the CNS. Here, we review literature suggesting the involvement of CNG channels in a number of CNS cellular functions (e.g., regulation of membrane potential, neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter release) as well as in more complex phenomena, like brain plasticity, adult neurogenesis, and pain sensitivity. The emerging picture is that functional and dysfunctional cyclic nucleotide signaling in the CNS has to be reconsidered including CNG channels among possible targets. However, concerted efforts and multidisciplinary approaches are still needed to get more in-depth knowledge in this field.

Role of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in the modulation of mouse hippocampal neurogenesis

Neural stem cells generate neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in mammals, including humans, throughout adulthood. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been the focus of many studies due to its relevance in processes such as learning and memory and its documented impairment in some neurodegenerative diseases. However, we are still far from having a complete picture of the mechanism regulating this process. Our study focused on the possible role of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels. These voltage-independent channels activated by cyclic nucleotides, first described in retinal and olfactory receptors, have been receiving increasing attention for their involvement in several brain functions. Here we show that the rod-type, CNGA1, and olfactory-type, CNGA2, subunits are expressed in hippocampal neural stem cells in culture and in situ in the hippocampal neurogenic niche of adult mice. Pharmacological blockade of CNG channels did not affect cultured neural stem cell proliferation but reduced their differentiation towards the neuronal phenotype. The membrane permeant cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP, enhanced neural stem cell differentiation to neurons and this effect was prevented by CNG channel blockade. In addition, patch-clamp recording from neuron-like differentiating neural stem cells revealed cGMP-activated currents attributable to ion flow through CNG channels. The current work provides novel insights into the role of CNG channels in promoting hippocampal neurogenesis, which may prove to be relevant for stem cell-based treatment of cognitive impairment and brain damage.

Expression of olfactory-type cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in rat cortical astrocytes

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are nonselective cation channels activated by cyclic AMP (cAMP) or cyclic GMP (cGMP). They were originally identified in retinal and olfactory receptors, but evidence has also emerged for their expression in several mammalian brain areas. Because cGMP and cAMP control important aspects of glial cell physiology, we wondered whether CNG channels are expressed in astrocytes, the most functionally relevant glial cells in the CNS. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated expression of the CNG channel olfactory-type A subunit, CNGA2, in cultured rat cortical astrocytes. In patch-clamp experiments, currents elicited in these cells by voltage ramps from -100 to +100 mV in the presence of the cGMP analogue, dB-cGMP, were significantly reduced by the CNG channel blockers, L-cis-diltiazem (LCD) and Cd(2+) . The reversal potentials of the LCD- and Cd(2+) -sensitive currents were more positive than that of K(+) , as expected for a mixed cation current. Noninactivating, voltage-independent currents were also elicited by extracellular application of the membrane permeant cGMP analogue, 8-Br-cGMP. These effects were blocked by LCD and were mimicked by natriuretic peptide receptor activation and inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. Voltage-independent, LCD-sensitive currents were also elicited by 8-Br-cGMP in astrocytes of hippocampal and neocortical brain slices. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a broad distribution of CNG channels in astrocytes of the rat forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. These findings suggest that CNG channels are downstream targets of cyclic nucleotides in astrocytes, and they may be involved in the glial-mediated regulation of CNS functions under physiological and pathological conditions.

Effects of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in vestibular nuclear neurons

This study was designed to investigate the effects an 8-Br-cGMP on the neuronal activity of rat vestibular nuclear cells. Sprague-Dawley rats aged 14 to 16 days were decapitated under ether anesthesia. After treatment with pronase and thermolysin, the dissociated vestibular nuclear cells were transferred into a chamber on an inverted microscope. Spontaneous action potentials and potassium currents were recorded by standard patch-clamp techniques under current and voltage-clamp modes. Twelve vestibular nuclear cells revealed excitatory responses to 1-5 µM of 8-Br-cGMP, and 3 neurons did not respond to 8-Br-cGMP. Whole potassium currents of vestibular nuclear cells were decreased by 8-Br-cGMP (n=12). After calcium-dependent potassium currents were blocked by tetraethylammonium, the potassium currents were not decreased by 8-Br-cGMP. These experimental results suggest that 8-Br-cGMP changes the neuronal activity of vestibular nuclear cells by blocking the calcium-dependent potassium currents that underlie the afterhyperpolarization.

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase prevents alterations in medial prefrontal cortex excitability induced by repeated cocaine administration

RATIONALE

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a forebrain region that regulates cognitive function and reward-motivated behaviors, has been implicated in the neuropathological mechanisms of drug addiction and withdrawal. In cocaine-abstinent human addicts, neuronal activity of the mPFC is increased in response to cocaine re-exposure or drug-associated cues. Additionally, repeated cocaine exposure alters the membrane properties and ion channel function of mPFC pyramidal neurons in drug-withdrawn rats, leading to an increased firing in response to excitatory stimuli. Nitric oxide (NO), a diffusible neuromodulator of neuronal excitability, may play a role in initiating and maintaining behavioral effects of psychostimulants. However, the role of NO in the mechanisms by which cocaine affects membrane excitability is not well clarified.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we attempted to determine whether inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) altered the changes induced by repeated cocaine exposure and withdrawal.

METHODS

Visualized whole-cell current clamp recordings in brain slices containing the mPFC of rats administered (once per day for 5 days) with either vehicle (10% Cremophor EL in saline 0.9%), cocaine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), or cocaine and the nNOS inhibitor 7-NI (50 mg/kg, i.p.) were employed.

RESULTS

We found that nNOS inhibition prevented cocaine sensitization and the increased membrane excitability of pyramidal cells, evidenced by an increased number of evoked spikes and reductions in inward rectification observed after short-term withdrawal from cocaine.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that NO plays an important role in chronic cocaine-induced deregulation of the mPFC activity that may contribute to the development of behavioral sensitization and cocaine withdrawal.

Nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase signaling regulates corticostriatal transmission and short-term synaptic plasticity of striatal projection neurons recorded in vivo

Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) contain the highest levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in the brain. Striatal sGC signaling is activated by nitric oxide (NO) and other neuromodulators. MSNs also express cGMP-dependent protein kinase and other components of the cGMP signaling system which are critically involved in integrating corticostriatal transmission and regulating synaptic plasticity in striatal networks. However, the influence of tonic and phasic activation of this signaling pathway on striatal MSN activity is poorly understood. The present study examined the impact of systemic administration of the selective sGC inhibitor [1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one] (ODQ) on spike activity evoked using low and high frequency electrical stimulation of the frontal cortex. MSN activity was monitored using single-unit extracellular recordings in urethane-anesthetized rats. ODQ administration significantly decreased spike activity evoked by low frequency cortical stimulation in a stimulus intensity- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, ODQ administered along with the neuronal NO synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) potently decreased the incidence of excitatory responses observed during high-frequency train stimulation of the contralateral frontal cortex. The short-term depression of cortically-evoked spike activity induced by train stimulation was enhanced following pretreatment with ODQ in MSNs exhibiting an excitatory response during cortical train stimulation. Unexpectedly, this effect of ODQ was reversed in animals receiving co-administration of ODQ and 7-NI. 7-NI/ODQ co-administration also reversed measures of short-term depression observed in MSNs exhibiting an inhibitory response during cortical train stimulation. These observations extend previous studies showing that tonic and phasic NO-sGC signaling modulates the responsiveness of MSNs to corticostriatal input. Moreover, phasic activation of NO signaling is likely to regulate short-term changes in corticostriatal synaptic plasticity via complex mechanisms involving both sGC-cGMP-dependent and independent pathways.

Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide act as inhibitory neurotransmitters in the longitudinal muscle of C57BL/6J mouse distal colon

The present study was designed to identify the inhibitory neurotransmitters mediating nonadrenergic noncholinergic relaxation in the longitudinal muscle of C57/BL mouse distal colon. Relaxation induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was recorded isotonically in the presence of atropine and guanethidine. Cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) content was measured by radioimmunoassay. EFS-induced relaxation was inhibited by nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and Sn (IV) protoporphyrin dichloride IX (SnPP-IX), a nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) synthase inhibitor, respectively. A combination of both inhibitors produced an additive effect. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, inhibited EFS-induced relaxation. NOR-1, a NO donor, and carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2), a CO donor, treatment relaxed the distal colon and increased cyclic GMP content. The effects of NOR-1 and CORM-2 were inhibited by ODQ. KT5823, a cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, inhibited EFS-induced relaxation. EFS-induced relaxation in the presence of KT5823 was further inhibited by L-NNA, but not by SnPP-IX. In addition, KT5823 inhibited CORM-2-induced relaxation, but not NOR-1-induced relaxation. H89, a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, inhibited EFS-induced relaxation, and EFS-induced relaxation in the presence of H89 was further inhibited by L-NNA. These results suggested that NO and CO function as inhibitory neurotransmitters in the longitudinal muscle of C57BL mouse distal colon.

Feed-forward excitation of striatal neuron activity by frontal cortical activation of nitric oxide signaling in vivo

The gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide plays an important role in the modulation of corticostriatal synaptic transmission. This study examined the impact of frontal cortex stimulation on striatal nitric oxide efflux and neuron activity in urethane-anesthetized rats using amperometric microsensor and single-unit extracellular recordings, respectively. Systemic administration of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 7-nitroindazole decreased spontaneous spike activity without affecting activity evoked by single-pulse stimulation of the ipsilateral cortex. Train (30 Hz) stimulation of the contralateral frontal cortex transiently increased nitric oxide efflux in a robust and reproducible manner. Evoked nitric oxide efflux was attenuated by systemic administration of 7-nitroindazole and the non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Train stimulation of the contralateral cortex, in a manner identical to that used to evoke nitric oxide efflux, had variable effects on spike activity assessed during the train stimulation trial, but induced a short-term depression of cortically evoked activity in the first post-train stimulation trial. Interestingly, 7-nitroindazole potently decreased cortically evoked activity recorded during the train stimulation trial. Moreover, the short-term depression of spike activity induced by train stimulation was enhanced following pretreatment with 7-nitroindazole and attenuated after systemic administration of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride. These results demonstrate that robust activation of frontal cortical afferents in the intact animal activates a powerful nitric oxide-mediated feed-forward excitation which partially offsets concurrent D2 receptor-mediated short-term inhibitory influences on striatal neuron activity. Thus, nitric oxide signaling is likely to play an important role in the integration of corticostriatal sensorimotor information in striatal networks.

Functional role of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons

Although cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are expressed in numerous brain areas, little information is available on their functions in CNS neurons. The aim of the present study was to define the distribution of CNG channels in the rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and their possible involvement in regulating MVN neuron (MVNn) excitability. The majority of MVNn expressed both CNG1 and CNG2 A subunits. In whole-cell current-clamp experiments carried out on brainstem slices containing the MVNn, the membrane-permeant analogues of cyclic nucleotides, 8-Br-cGMP and 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM), induced membrane depolarizations (8.9 +/- 0.8 and 9.2 +/- 1.0 mV, respectively) that were protein kinase independent. The cGMP-induced depolarization was associated with a significant decrease in the membrane input resistance. The effects of cGMP on membrane potential were almost completely abolished by the CNG channel blockers, Cd(2+) and L-cis-diltiazem, but they were unaffected by blockade of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. In voltage-clamp experiments, 8-Br-cGMP induced non-inactivating inward currents (-22.2 +/- 3.9 pA) with an estimated reversal potential near 0 mV, which were markedly inhibited by reduction of extracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+) concentrations. Membrane depolarization induced by CNG channel activation increased the firing rate of MVNn without changing the action potential shape. Collectively, these findings provide novel evidence that CNG channels affect membrane potential and excitability of MVNn. Such action should have a significant impact on the function of these neurons in sensory-motor integration processes. More generally, it might represent a broad mechanism for regulating the excitability of different CNS neurons.

Nitric oxide-induced adenosine inhibition of hippocampal synaptic transmission depends on adenosine kinase inhibition and is cyclic GMP independent

Adenosine is an important inhibitory neuromodulator that regulates neuronal excitability. Several studies have shown that nitric oxide induces release of adenosine. Here we investigated the mechanism of this release. We studied the effects of nitric oxide on evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) recorded in the CA1 area of rat hippocampal slices. The nitric oxide donor 1,1-diethyl-2-hydroxy-2-nitroso-hydrazine sodium (DEA/NO; 100 microm) depressed the fEPSP by 77.6 +/- 4.1%. This effect was abolished by the adenosine A1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 400 nm), indicating that the nitric oxide effect was mediated by adenosine accumulation. The DEA/NO effect was unaltered by the 5'-ectonucleotidase inhibitor alpha,beta-methylene-adenosine 5'-diphosphate (AMP-CP; 100 microm), indicating that extracellular adenosine did not derive from ATP or cAMP release. The guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ; 5 microm) did not affect nitric oxide depression of the fEPSPs, indicating that nitric oxide-mediated adenosine release was not mediated through a cGMP signaling cascade. This conclusion was confirmed by the observation that 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-pCPT-cGMP; 1 mm) reversibly depressed the fEPSP by 24.9 +/- 4.5%, but this effect was not blocked by adenosine antagonists. Adenosine kinase inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin (ITU; 7 microm) occluded the nitric oxide effects by 74%, suggesting that inhibition of adenosine kinase activity contributes to adenosine release. In conclusion, exogenous nitric oxide evokes adenosine release by a cGMP-independent pathway. Intracellular cGMP elevation partially inhibits the fEPSP but not through adenosine release. Although a direct block of adenosine kinase by nitric oxide can not be excluded, the depression of adenosine kinase activity may be due to inhibition by its own substrate adenosine.

VEGF-E activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase to induce angiogenesis via cGMP and PKG-independent pathways

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF), which binds to both VEGF receptor-1 (Flt1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), requires nitric oxide (NO) to induce angiogenesis in a cGMP-dependent manner. Here we show that VEGF-E, a VEGFR-2-selective ligand stimulates NO release and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Inhibition of phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) with U73122 abrogated VEGF-E induced endothelial cell migration, tube formation and NO release. Inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) using l-NNA blocked VEGF-E-induced NO release and angiogenesis. Pre-incubation of HUVEC with the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ, or the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, KT-5823, had no effect on angiogenesis suggesting that the action of VEGF-E is cGMP-independent. Our data provide the first demonstration that VEGFR-2-mediated NO signaling and subsequent angiogenesis is through a mechanism that is dependent on PLCgamma but independent of cGMP and PKG.

Expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in the rat medial vestibular nucleus

The role of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in sensory signal transduction in retinal and olfactory cells is widely recognized, but there is increasing evidence that they also play more general functions in the central nervous system as downstream effectors of cyclic nucleotides. Here, we demonstrate the expression of the alpha-subunit of rod- and olfactory-type CNG channels (CNG1 and CNG2, respectively) in the rat medial vestibular nucleus (MVN). Nested polymerase chain reaction revealed CNG channel mRNA in the MVN, and CNG1 and CNG2 proteins were also detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Finally, electrophysiological evidence is provided suggesting that CNG channels play a functional role in the MVN.