title: Nitric oxide: biosynthesis and biological significance.
abstract: The recent discovery that mammalian cells can synthesize nitric oxide coincided with the identification of this simple gas as a factor involved in cellular communication. Nitric oxide has now been shown to be derived from L-arginine in macrophages, endothelial cells and possibly other cell types. Its physiological role in macrophages may be as a cytotoxic agent. However, nitric oxide produced by endothelial cells is thought to trigger vascular smooth muscle relaxation through activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Marletta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide