Publication: Nitric oxide, a biological double-faced janus- Is this good or bad?
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Date
2006
Authors
Thippeswamy, T. ; McKay, J.S. ; Quinn, J.P. ; Morris, R.
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Publisher
Murcia : F. Hernández
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a biological messenger
molecule produced by one of the essential amino acids
L-arginine by the catalytic action of the enzyme NO
synthase (NOS). The dual role of NO as a protective or
toxic molecule is due to several factors, such as; the
isoform of NOS involved, concentration of NO and the
type of cells in which it is synthesised, the availability of
the substrate L-arginine, generation of guanosine 3,5’-
cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) from soluble guanylate
cyclase and the overall extra and intracellular
environment in which NO is produced. NOS activation
as a result of trauma (calcium influx) or infection leads
to NO production, which activates its downstream
receptor sGC to synthesise cGMP and/or leads to protein
nitrosylation. This may lead to one or more systemic
effects including altered neurotransmission which can be
protective or toxic, vaso/bronchodilatation in the
cardiovascular and respiratory systems and enhanced
immune activity against invading pathogens. In addition
to these major functions, NO plays important role in
thermoregulation, renal function, gastrointestinal
motility, endocrine function, and various functions of the
urogenital system ranging from renin secretion to
micturation; spermatogenesis to penile erection; and
ovulation to implantation and parturition. A schematic summary of the functions of NO and the various
isoforms of NOS expressed in body systems is shown in
figure 1. In this review, the historical background,
biochemistry and biosynthesis of NO and its enzymes
together with the mechanism of NO actions in
physiology and pathophysiology are discussed.
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