Genetic analysis of NOS isoforms using nNOS and eNOS knockout animals.

All three major isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are expressed in the brain. Because of complex and overlapping expression patterns (Marletta, 1994; Nathan and Xie, 1994), the particular NOS isoform involved in many processes is not clear. In fact, NO generated by separate isoforms may have different roles and potentially opposing effects (Iadecola et al., 1994). We have taken a genetic approach, to disrupt or knockout the genes for NOS isoforms to circumvent some of the limitations of pharmacologic agents. This approach allows the study of each individual NOS isoform in physiologic processes in the context of intact animals. It gives insights into possible developmental roles for NO and parallel processes that may compensate for the absence of each NOS isoform. We have made nNOS and eNOS knockout mice, as well as double knockout mice that lack both nNOS and eNOS isoforms (Huang et al., 1993; Huang et al., 1995; Son et al., 1996). In this chapter, we review some of the physiologic roles for NO that have been elucidated making use of these mice, including regulation of cerebral blood flow, response to cerebral ischemia, regulation of neurotransmitter release in the brain, and development of synaptic plasticity. Other chapters will discuss results using NOS knockout animals in studies of long term potentiation (see Hawkins, this volume), neuronal development (see Mize, this volume), and potential mechanisms for protection in nNOS knockout mice (Moskowitz, M.A.; Dawson, V.L, this volume).