Cytochemical demonstration of nitric oxide synthase and 5' nucleotidase in human glioblastoma
Fenoglio, C.; Necchi, D.; Civallero, M.; Ceroni, M.; Nano, R.
Anticancer Research 17(4a): 2507-2511
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 9252671 Document Number: 474461
Both nitric oxide (NO), formed from L-arginine by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and adenosine, which is produced by 5' nucleotidase (5' N) acting on adenosine 5' monophosphate (5' AMP) are implicated in several neurophysiological processes. In addition, 5' N is a linker protein involved in cell motility. Alterations of both enzyme activities seem to be responsible for some pathological states of the central nervous system (CNS). In the present report, we have studied the cytochemical demonstration of NOS and 5' N activities in human glioblastoma cells. Enzyme activity of both was observed in tumor cells; moreover, the coincidence of enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for NOS was noted in most cases. The findings were interpreted on the basis of the cytotoxic effects due to NO production by tumor cells, and on the non-catalytic role of membrane 5' N which acting as an adhesive molecule can favour tumor invasiveness.