[Nitric oxide in malignant astrocytes].
BACKGROUND
One of the different molecules involved in the development of astrocytomas is nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous radical that, depending on the cell type and the experimental paradigm selected in the pathology, can play either a cytotoxic or a cytoprotective role.


METHODS
During the development of an astrocytoma NO acts as a tumouricidal agent, although it can also alter vascular reactivity and lead to neovascularisation, thereby contributing to the invasive capacity (aggressiveness) of the tumour. One of the mechanisms of tumoural progression consists in the protein inactivation resulting from the NO nitration of tyrosine from proteins coded for by tumour-suppressing genes, such as p53. Furthermore, in malignant astrocytes, nitrosoglutathione, a natural NO-donor, has been seen to play a role in the chemoresistance displayed against nitrosourea derivatives. The NO excreted by irradiated astrocytoma cells also appears to be involved in the resistance to the radiotherapy shown by non-irradiated cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The molecular mechanisms behind the complex and paradoxical activity of NO in glioblastoma multiforme have still not been fully explained and its implications in vivo are even further from being completely understood.
Esteban
F J
FJ
Departamento de Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales y de la Salud, Universidad de Jaén, Spain. festeban@ujaen.es
Horcajadas
A
A
El-Rubaidi
O
O
Luque-Barona
R
R
Ibáñez
G
G
García-Carriazo
A
A
Segovia
M
M
del Moral-Leal
M L
ML
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*
D009569:Nitric Oxide