title: Heme oxygenase, carbon monoxide, and interstitial cells of Cajal.
abstract: Interstitial cells of Cajal play a central role in the control of gastrointestinal motility. The mechanisms of communication between interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle cells are to a large extent unknown. This article reviews the potential role of carbon monoxide as a messenger molecule between interstitial cells of Cajal and gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells. The machinery required for the formation of carbon monoxide is present in interstitial cells of Cajal and gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells express a target site of action for carbon monoxide, a potassium channel. Carbon monoxide may, therefore, be produced in interstitial cells of Cajal and function as a messenger molecule between interstitial cells of Cajal and gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Szurszewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D006418:Heme; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)