Nitric oxide is inactivated by the bacterial pigment pyocyanin.
Pyocyanin is a phenazine pigment produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found in human lung secretions. Micromolar concentrations of pyocyanin inhibited the bioactivity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) generated from bovine pulmonary-artery endothelium in response to bradykinin. This inhibition was reversed by perfusing the EDRF-bioassay system with pyocyanin-free buffer for 15 min, but persisted in the presence of superoxide dismutase (20 units/ml). When nitric oxide, the major component of EDRF, was passed into an aqueous solution of pyocyanin in the absence of O2, a rapid colour change occurred from blue to pink; m.s. analysis of the products showed that the pyocyanin had been converted into a nitrosylated species.
Warren
J B
JB
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, U.K.
Loi
R
R
Rendell
N B
NB
Taylor
G W
GW
D000818:Animals; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D010619:Phenazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011710:Pyocyanine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D010619:Phenazines; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011710:Pyocyanine; D001920:Bradykinin