title: Critical overview of mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase.
abstract: The recent discovery of mitochondrial nitric-oxide synthase (mtNOS) has provided novel information on mitochondrial biology. mtNOS, localized at the inner membrane, functions as one of the important regulatory factors that affect cellular respiration in mitochondria. The distribution of mtNOS in diverse organs of many species suggests its biological importance. Changes in mtNOS expression and activity in many pathophysiological situations may imply its significant involvement in various NO-related biological phenomena. The functional coordination of mtNOS with other NOSs present in the same or adjacent tissues is unknown as it is most of the regulatory mechanisms of mtNOS expression. Thus, future studies will be required to validate the physiological significance of mtNOS, and to elucidate its regulatory mechanisms on cellular energy metabolism in mitochondria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Kazunobu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giulivi
mesh_terms: D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase