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Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Establishing an Octopus Ecosystem for Biomedical and Bioengineering Research
Published on: September 22, 2021
Characterization of nitric oxide in Octopus maya nervous system and its potential role in sensory perception
Fabián Vergara-Ovalle1, Martha León-Olea2, Eduardo Sánchez-Islas2
1Laboratorio de Neuropsicofarmacología. Facultad de Piscología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, C.P. 04510, México.
Abstract:
The role of nitric oxide as a neurotransmitter in the olfactory and chemoreception systems of invertebrates has been well documented. This suggests an early and efficient sensory detection system that is evolutionarily preserved in various species, including vertebrates and invertebrates. Additionally, the presence of a nitric oxide neurotransmitter system has been reported in molluscs, particularly in octopus species. In this work, we present evidence for the existence of nitric oxide synthase in neurons and fibers, as well as its anatomical localization in various nuclei involved in chemosensory integration and the motor responses associated with these processes in Octopus maya.
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