Cited by 255Nitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsMetal-Catalyzed Oxygenation MechanismsHemoglobin structure and function

NO synthase: Structures and mechanisms

Daff, Simon·2010·Nitric Oxide

Abstract

Production of NO from arginine and molecular oxygen is a complex chemical reaction unique to biology. Our understanding of the chemical and regulation mechanisms of the NO synthases has developed over the past two decades, uncovering some extraordinary features. This article reviews recent progress and highlights current issues and controversies. The structure of the enzyme has now been determined almost in entirety, although it is as a selection of fragments, which are difficult to assemble unambiguously. NO synthesis is driven by electron transfer through FAD and FMN cofactors, which is controlled by calmodulin binding in the constitutive mammalian enzymes. Many of the unique structural features involved have been characterised, but the mechanics of calmodulin-dependent activation are largely unresolved. Ultimately, NO is produced in the active site by the reaction of arginine with activated heme-bound oxygen in two distinct cycles. The unique role of the tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor as an electron donor in this process has now been established, but the subsequent chemical events are currently a matter of intense speculation and debate.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.niox.2010.03.001

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Authors
Daff, S.
Affiliations
University of Edinburgh (GB)
Corresponding author
Daff, Simon
Venue
Nitric Oxide
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-08
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
1-11
ISSN
1089-8603 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2030929571
Cited by
251
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 23
FWCI
2.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nitric Oxide (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Inorganic Chemistry › Metal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Hemoglobin structure and function
Keywords
nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide production, enzyme structure, electron transfer, FAD cofactor, FMN cofactor, calmodulin binding, tetrahydrobiopterin, arginine oxidation, enzyme mechanism
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Structure-Activity Relationship, Nitric Oxide Synthase

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