Generation, Translocation, and Action of Nitric Oxide in Living Systems

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous diatomic radical that is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological functions in biology. Conceptually, the biochemistry of NO can be separated into three stages: generation (stage 1), translocation (stage 2), and action (stage 3). In stage 1 the oxygen...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tennyson, Andrew G., Lippard, Stephen J.
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemistry
Format: Article
Language:en_US
Published: Elsevier B.V. 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/95831
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2693-4982
Description
Summary:Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous diatomic radical that is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological functions in biology. Conceptually, the biochemistry of NO can be separated into three stages: generation (stage 1), translocation (stage 2), and action (stage 3). In stage 1 the oxygenase domain of NO synthase converts L-arginine to L-citrulline and NO (g). Owing to its short-lived nature, this molecule is converted into a different nitrogen oxide such as NO[subscript 2], an organonitrosyl such as a nitrosothiol, or a metal nitrosyl such as a heme-nitrosyl, for transportation in stage 2. Each of these derivatives features unique physical characteristics, chemical reactivity, and biological activity. Upon delivery in stage 3, NO exerts its physiological or pathological function by reaction with biomolecules containing redox-active metals or other residues.