Nitric oxide endothelium-derived, biosynthesis

Ignarro, L. J., Biosynthesis and metabolism of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 30 (1990), p. 535-560... 

Hutchinson, P. J. A., Palmer, R. M. J., and Moncada, S. (1987). Comparative pharmacology of EDRF and nitric oxide on vascular strips. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 141, 445-451. Ignarro, L, J. (1990). Biosynthesis and metabolism of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 30, 535-560. 

III. BIOSYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM OF ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED NITRIC OXIDE... 

Forstermann, U., Gorsky, L. D., Pollock, J. S., Ishii, K., Schmidt, H. H. H. W., Heller, M., and Murad, F. (1990). Hormone-induced biosynthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide-like material in NlE-115 neuroblastoma cells requires calcium and calmodulin. Mol. Pharmacol. 38, 7-13. 

ABSTRACT In mammals, nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical involved in diverse physiological functions. NO and its redox-related forms NO+ and NO react with di(oxygen) and its derivatives, with metalloproteins and thiol-containing proteins. NO-mediated nitrosation of proteins represents an important cellular regulatory mechanism. Biosynthesis of NO is catalysed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Three isoenzymes representing distinct gene products have been identified the inducible NOS isoform, the constitutive neuronal and endothelial isoforms. Inducible and constitutive NOSs have the same structural features, but their activities differ in their dependence to calcium and the rate of NO produced. The principal NO-mediated functions in mammals are endothelium-dependent relaxation, neurotransmission and immune response. The role of NO in the antitumor immune response comprises both regulatory and effector functions at the intra- or inter-cellular level. The first function includes inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation or participation in different transduction pathways. The second fiinction includes pro- or anti-tumoral effects and NO-mediated cell toxicity or cell resistance to apoptosis. 

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