NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN BAKERS YEASTS, LOBSTER, ANDWHEAT-GERM

Western blotting analysis with mouse anti-brain Nitric Oxide Synthase (bNOS), revealed NOS immunoreactivity in non-mammalian cells. The high est level of activity was observed in wheat germ, and the lowest was s een in lobster tail meat. The occurrence of multiple bands might be du e to the interactions among peptides and/or other molecules. Smaller p eptide bands near 14 kD might be produced by proteolytic reactions. Th e results suggest not only a wide distribution of NOS in eukaryotes, b ut also an evolutional conservation of NOS.