不可思議な気体性伝達物質NO：その現状と展望

—視覚系における機能を中心にして—

抄録

The discovery of nitric oxide (NO) as an intercellular messenger brought about new concepts regarding the induction of synaptic plasticity in the neural circuits. Its importance has been recognized since the first enthusiasm, though certain inconsistent results have been reported recently on the effects of NO. In this review, latest studies are surveyed focusing on the functions of NO in vertebrate visual systems. There, this simple gas plays a role of adaptation signal in the retina, and it also acts as an important messenger involved in the self-organization of the optic nerve projection during the development.