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Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies related to nitric oxide
Author(s) -
Moncada S.,
Higgs E. A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.9.13.7557022
Subject(s) - nitric oxide , mediator , effector , arginine , chemistry , endogeny , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , signal transduction , homeostasis , biochemistry , biology , pharmacology , amino acid , organic chemistry
The formation of nitric oxide (NO) from L‐arginine is now recognized as a ubiquitous biochemical pathway involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular, central, and peripheral nervous systems, as well as in other homeostatic mechanisms. The L‐arginine:NO pathway comprises a substrate, L‐arginine, a family of enzymes, the NO synthases, and at least one physiological effector system, the soluble guanylate cyclase. NO also inhibits enzymes in target cells and can interact with oxygen‐derived radicals to produce other toxic substances. Thus, NO also plays a role in immunological host defense and in the pathophysiology of certain clinical conditions. Several steps in the L‐arginine:NO pathway are ame‐nable to manipulation. Some substances will change the concentration and/or actions of NO with conse‐quences that, in certain cases, may be therapeutic. In addition, other agents themselves generate NO and thus mimic the actions of the endogenous mediator. This brief overview will discuss some possible interventions in the pathway and the potential benefits as well as undesirable side effects that might arise from them.—Moncada, S., Higgs, E. A. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies related to nitric oxide. FASEB J. 9, 1319‐1330 (1995)