The first Robert Furchgott lecture: from endothelium-dependent relaxation to the L-arginine:NO pathway.
Nitric oxide (NO) is released from vascular endothelial cells and fresh vascular tissue in amounts sufficient to account for the biological actions of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. It is synthesized from the terminal guanidino nitrogen atom(s) of L-arginine, a process that is inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Studies using L-NMMA have shown that NO is constantly generated by the vessel wall to maintain vasodilator tone. The L-arginine:NO pathway has now been identified in a number of other cells and tissues, in many of which it acts as the transduction mechanism for stimulation of the soluble guanylate cyclase.
Moncada
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Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, UK.
D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006706:Homeostasis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006113:United Kingdom
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase