Objective: To study the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA in the gonad of Oncomelania hupensis in different temperature.
Methods: The snails were cultured at temperature of 0 degree C, 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C for 1 month. The total RNA of each group was extracted with the RNA extraction kit. A pair of degenerate primers was designed from conserved regions of mammalian NOSs, and the expression of NOS mRNA in the gonad was measured by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: The target genes of NOS were detected in the gonad of snails. The level of expression of snail NOS mRNA in 25 degrees C group and 0 degree C group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P < 0.01), there was no significant difference for the expression products between 15 degrees C group and control group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The designation of primers of the snails was validated. The impact of temperature on the expression of snail NOS mRNA was determined, which suggested that NO plays an important role in the physiological and pathological modulation.