Publication Date

1-1-2000

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Gasser, Kenneth W.

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

The exocrine pancreas’ function is to synthesize and secrete a battery of enzymes in response to secretagogues. Nitric oxide (NO) is a biological messenger in a variety of tissue types, eliciting an impressive variety of biological responses. Biosynthesis of NO in the pancreas is catalyzed by two known nitric oxide synthase isoforms, NOS(I) and NOS(II). However, the role of NO in secretion from pancreatic acinar cells has been unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nitric oxide on pancreatic secretion as well as its effects on enzymes specific to the ERK signaling cascade, which leads to synthesis of additional secretory vesicles. NO was shown to significantly promote pancreatic secretion most likely through a cGMP mechanism. In addition, NO was shown to promote phosphorylation of PI3K and ERK, hence synthesis of proteins necessary for continued secretory response, via a Shc-independent mechanism.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

49 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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