title: NO: an inhibitor of cell death.
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) or related molecules of both endogenous and exogenous origin inhibit programmed cell death in a variety of cells and tissues. This general protective function is largely independent of the apoptotic stimulus. S-nitrosylation of the catalytic-site cysteine of caspases is a well-established and possibly widespread mechanism of enzyme inhibition that protects from cell death. However, NO may inhibit apoptosis by additional mechanisms. The physiological and pathological significance of NO's anti-apoptotic activity remains to be determined in most cases.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC, 27710, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Stamler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide