Objective:This study aims to construct the lentiviral vector carrying the cDNA encoding neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS)of rat and to detect its expression and catalytic function. Methods:The cDNA of nNOS was extracted by RT-PCR followed by eukaryotic expression vector of CDH-GFP for cloning.After confirming the cDNA of nNOS by sequencing,cDNA of nNOS was cloned into the lentiviral vector pCDH-GFP for constructing recombinant vector pCDH-GFP/nNOS.The plasmid pCDH-GFP/nNOS was then transfected into 293T cells in the presence ofhelper plasmids by Lipofectamine 2000 mediation for packing lentiviral particles LV-nNOS-GFP.The cultured neuronal stem cells(NSCs)were used to verify whether LV-nNOS-GFP can infect NSCs by co- incubation with LV-nNOS-GFP Afterwards,LV-nNOS-GFP was injected into the dentate gyrys(DG)of the hippocampus to measure the expression of nNOS and the generation of nitric oxide(NO). Results:The full length cDNA of nNOS could besuccessfully amplified and constructed into the recombinant lentiviral vector pCDH-GFP/nNOS. The packaged LV-nNOS-GFP successfully infected cultured NSCs and neurons in the hippocampal DG. The expressed nNOS was catalytic effective in catalyzing NO generation. Conclusion:The lentiviral vector of LV-nNOS-GFP was constructed successfully with functional nNOSexpression after infection.