title: cGMP and S-nitrosylation: two routes for modulation of neuronal excitability by NO.
abstract: The nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP signaling cascade has been implicated in synaptic plasticity and, more broadly, in the control of many forms of electrical activity. This raises the issue of how these second messengers regulate ion channels. The field of ion-channel modulation is dominated by G proteins; NO and cGMP are often treated as poor cousins. However, recent advances surveyed here could change this perception. A surprising new dimension to NO signaling is the direct cGMP-independent action of NO on channel proteins through S-nitrosylation. The existence of two effector pathways has important functional implications, expanding and enriching the possibilities for modulating neuronal excitability.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pharmacology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Gerard P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ahern
authors.forename: Vitaly A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Klyachko
authors.forename: Meyer B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D002118:Calcium