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Published on: May 16, 2017
S-nitrosylation of NSF controls membrane trafficking
Thomas H Söllner1, Sonia Sequeira
1Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cellular Biochemistry & Biophysics Program, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Cell
|October 22, 2003
Summary
Nitric oxide regulates exocytosis by S-nitrosylating NSF, an ATPase. This inhibition affects the release of Weibel-Palade bodies, crucial for vascular tone regulation in endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule impacting various biological processes.
- Regulated exocytosis, the process of releasing cellular contents, is influenced by NO, but its molecular targets are not fully understood.
- Weibel-Palade bodies are specialized secretory granules in endothelial cells vital for vascular homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the molecular targets of nitric oxide in the regulation of exocytosis.
- To investigate the mechanism by which nitric oxide affects the release of Weibel-Palade bodies from aortic endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- The study focused on aortic endothelial cells.
- Researchers investigated the S-nitrosylation of NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor), an ATPase involved in membrane fusion.
- The effect of NSF S-nitrosylation on the exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies was assessed.
Main Results:
- Nitric oxide induces S-nitrosylation of NSF in aortic endothelial cells.
- S-nitrosylation of NSF inhibits its ATPase activity, crucial for membrane fusion.
- This inhibition leads to the suppression of Weibel-Palade body exocytosis.
Conclusions:
- NSF is a molecular target of nitric oxide in endothelial cells.
- S-nitrosylation of NSF by nitric oxide is a mechanism to inhibit exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies.
- This finding provides insight into the regulation of vascular tone by nitric oxide signaling.
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