Nitric oxide: biosynthesis and biological significance.
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.
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D000818:Animals; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D009569:Nitric Oxide