Nitric oxide synthases: regulation and function

Nitric oxide (NO), the smallest signalling molecule known, is produced by three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS; EC 1.14.13.39). They all utilize l-arginine and molecular oxygen as substrates and require the cofactors reduced nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and (6R-)5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)). All NOS bind calmodulin and contain haem. Neuronal NOS (nNOS, NOS I) is constitutively expressed in central and peripheral neurons and some other cell types. Its functions include synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS), central regulation of blood pressure, smooth muscle relaxation, and vasodilatation via…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Award: LI-1042/1-1
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01 HL081190, HL096670, HL081190, HL64793, R01 HL61371, P01 HL70295, R01 HL64793, HL61371