EPR characterization of molecular targets for NO in mammalian cells and organelles

Nitric oxide is synthesized in mammalian cells from L-arginine or from pharmaceutical drugs. It forms paramagnetic complexes with some metalloproteins, inhibiting key enzymes in DNA synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, iron metabolism, etc. This article reviews how electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy helps to detect unambiguously such specific molecular targets for NO in mammalian whole cells and organelles. EPR has also been used for the detection of spin adducts of free NO by spin-trapping methods.