Related Experiment Videos
The moving frontier in nitric oxide-dependent signaling
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Program in Immunology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA. cnathan@med.cornell.edu <cnathan@med.cornell.edu>
Science'S STKE : Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment
|November 4, 2004
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a vital role in mammalian physiology, with new discoveries revealing its impact on proteins and fatty acids. These findings enhance our understanding of NO
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial signaling molecule in mammals.
- Existing knowledge of NO's physiological roles is expanding.
- Physiological oxygen levels can significantly augment NO's actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel discoveries expanding the understanding of nitric oxide's role in mammalian physiology.
- To investigate new types, amounts, and fates of molecules modified by NO and its derivatives.
- To examine how NO-dependent modifications influence regulatory proteins.
Main Methods:
- Identification of endogenous reversible N-nitrosation reactions involving proteins.
- Characterization of a new class of endogenously nitrated bioactive molecules (nitro-fatty acids).
- Analysis of NO-dependent posttranslational modifications.
Main Results:
- A new form of reversible protein N-nitrosation in vivo has been identified.
- A novel class of bioactive nitro-fatty acids formed endogenously has been discovered.
- NO-dependent posttranslational modifications were shown to regulate protein half-life and destination.
Conclusions:
- Recent discoveries reveal new molecular mechanisms and targets of nitric oxide in vivo.
- These findings underscore the complex and expanding role of NO in mammalian physiology.
- NO-mediated modifications are critical for controlling the function and fate of regulatory proteins.