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Updated: Feb 10, 2026
08:25
Measuring Nitrite and Nitrate, Metabolites in the Nitric Oxide Pathway, in Biological Materials using the Chemiluminescence Method
Published on: December 25, 2016
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Nitrite-dependent nitric oxide synthesis by molybdenum enzymes
Daniel Bender1,2, Guenter Schwarz1,2,3
1Department of Chemistry, Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Germany.
FEBS Letters
|May 12, 2018
Summary
Nitrite can be reduced to nitric oxide (NO) by molybdenum-dependent enzymes in eukaryotes. This review details these enzymes and their physiological roles in NO generation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a crucial gasotransmitter in cellular signaling.
- NO is generated via oxidative (NOS enzymes) and reductive pathways.
- The reductive pathway involves nitrite reduction to NO by metal-containing proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current research on molybdenum (Mo)-dependent nitrite reduction in eukaryotes.
- To provide an overview of the five eukaryotic Mo-enzymes involved in this process.
- To discuss the similarities and differences in their NO generation mechanisms and physiological relevance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Mo-dependent enzymes and nitrite reduction.
- Analysis of enzymatic mechanisms for nitrite to NO conversion.
- Discussion of physiological implications of Mo-enzyme activity.
Main Results:
- All eukaryotic Mo-dependent enzymes can reduce nitrite to NO.
- Five distinct eukaryotic Mo-enzymes are identified.
- Mechanisms of nitrite reduction vary among these enzymes, impacting NO generation.
Conclusions:
- Molybdenum-dependent enzymes play a significant role in the reductive NO generation pathway.
- Understanding these enzymes is key to comprehending NO signaling.
- Further research into Mo-enzyme mechanisms can reveal novel physiological functions.
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