Nitric oxide mediated modulation of norepinephrine transport: identification of a potential target for...

1. Carrier mediated uptake (uptake-1) transport of norepinephrine (NE) plays a key role in the regulation of sympathetic neurotransmission. Recent investigations indicate that nitric oxide (NO) may modulate uptake-1 activity, possibly in a cyclic GMP independent manner. 2. Carrier mediated transport of [(3)H-NE] and [(3)H-dopamine, DA] was examined in CHO cells transfected with cDNA for the NE and DA transporters (NET, DAT) respectively. 3. While exposure to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (100 microM, SNAP) significantly reduced [(3)H-NE] uptake (P<0.001), no effect on [(3)H-DA] transport was apparent. 4. Comparison of the amino acid sequences for NET and DAT identified cysteine residue 351 in NET, which was not present in DAT. Site-directed mutagenesis of Cys 351 to Ser produced a functional NET that was resistant to the inhibitory effects of SNAP. 5. The presence of SNAP mediated nitrosylation of the cysteine residue in an 8-mer model peptide based around Cys 351 in NET was confirmed by both biochemical and mass spectroscopic means. 6. These data indicate the potential regulatory role for NO in modulating sympathetic neurotransmission, and further confirm the importance of non-cyclic GMP dependent mechanisms in mediating the actions of NO.