Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Pull-down of Calmodulin-binding Proteins
Published on: January 23, 2012
Interaction between inducible nitric oxide synthase and calmodulin in Ca2+-free and -bound forms
Han Xiao1, Hui Zhou, Guifang Chen
1Department of Biochemistry and National Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China.
Researchers achieved direct electrochemistry of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) using polyethylenimine (PEI) films. Calmodulin (CaM) binding enhanced iNOS electron transfer, particularly with Ca2+-bound CaM.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Enzyme kinetics
Background:
- Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a crucial enzyme in biological systems.
- Understanding iNOS electrochemical properties is vital for its functional characterization.
- Calmodulin (CaM) is a known calcium-binding protein that modulates enzyme activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish direct electrochemistry for full-length iNOS.
- To investigate the interaction between iNOS and CaM and its effect on enzyme activity.
- To determine the formal potentials of the flavin cofactors within iNOS.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic electrochemistry using polyethylenimine (PEI) film entrapment.
- Electrochemical analysis of iNOS-CaM interactions under varying Ca2+ conditions.
- Determination of formal potentials for FAD and FMN cofactors.
Main Results:
- First direct electrochemistry of full-length iNOS successfully obtained.
- CaM binding significantly enhanced iNOS electron-transfer reactivity.
- Ca2+-bound CaM further activated interflavin electron transfer within iNOS.
- Formal potentials for FAD and FMN were determined as -470 mV and -284 mV vs SCE at pH 7.
Conclusions:
- Direct electrochemistry provides a powerful tool for studying iNOS.
- CaM acts as a positive allosteric effector, enhancing iNOS electrochemical activity.
- Ca2+ concentration is critical for CaM's ability to modulate iNOS function.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...

