Do nitric oxide and cGMP play a role in calcium cycling?
The biological molecule NO and its cyclic nucleotide effector molecule cGMP, are involved in a variety of biological systems. This article reviews evidence supporting a role for these molecules in signal transduction. Over the last 10 years, it has become evident that these molecules are important in Ca2+ regulation, particularly in excitable cells. In these cells, cGMP-dependent mechanisms appear to both directly and indirectly regulate Ca2+ transport. Until recently, reports of the actions of cGMP in non-excitable cells have been contradictory, presenting a confusing plethora of effects. In these cells, the cGMP-Ca2+ regulation pathway appears to be concentration-dependent, possibly representing a negative feedback mechanism. Ca2+ entry appears to be activated when low concentrations of cGMP are present, and inhibited at higher concentrations. The role of cGMP in Ca2+ regulation in non-excitable cells has been largely overlooked and further investigation of this issue may provide clues as to the nature of various unknown components that induce Ca2+ entry into these cells.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
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EA
Milbourne
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Bygrave
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000502:physiology*; D017136:Ion Transport; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D002118:Calcium