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Neuronal nitric oxide synthase: Prototype for pulsed enzymology
Author(s) -
Salerno John C.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.03.051
Subject(s) - rotation formalisms in three dimensions , nitric oxide synthase , nitric oxide , enzyme , steady state (chemistry) , signal (programming language) , atp synthase , biophysics , chemistry , biological system , biochemistry , biology , computer science , mathematics , geometry , organic chemistry , programming language
The established pdigm in understanding and describing enzyme activity uses formalisms based on steady‐state assumptions, including Michaelis–Menten and King–Altman approaches. These are appropriate for enzymes operating under steady‐state conditions. Signal generating enzymes transfer information, rather than material. Because the information capacity of a signal channel depends on frequency, steady‐state descriptions may not be appropriate. Recently, Stuehr and coworkers described a novel product inhibition mechanism for NO synthases. Simulations presented here suggest that at physiological temperatures neuronal nitric oxide synthase produces sharp pulses of NO, consistent with its signaling function. These temporal pulses greatly restrict the effective spatial range of NO signaling.