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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in platelets: how is it regulated and what is it doing there?
Voahanginirina Randriamboavonjy1, Ingrid Fleming
1Vascular Signalling Group, Institut für Kardiovaskuläre Physiology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Theoder-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany. fleming@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Abstract:
Platelets express the endothelial form of the nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and generate NO. However, in contrast to eNOS in endothelial cells, eNOS in platelets is largely Ca(2+)-independent and the activity is regulated by phosphorylation. Platelet-derived NO plays an important role in the regulation of platelet aggregation and secretion. Changes in the activity of platelet eNOS are responsible for the abnormal platelet activation encountered in different pathological situations (e.g. hypertension and diabetes). In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the role of platelet eNOS and the regulation of its activity as well as the fate of platelet-derived NO in physiological and pathological situations.
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