Co-regulation of constitutive nitric oxide synthases and NADPH oxidase by the small GTPase Rac.
Nitric oxide (NO), generated by NO synthases (NOSs), has multifarious roles in signal transduction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by ubiquitous NADPH oxidases (NOXs), also participate in cellular signaling. However, the coordination of signals conveyed by NO and ROS is poorly understood. We show that the small GTPase Rac, a component of some NOXs, also interacts with and regulates the constitutively-expressed NOSs. Cellular NO and O(2)(-) production increase or decrease together following activation or inhibition of Rac, and Rac inhibition reveals transduction mechanisms that depend upon NO (vasodilation), ROS (actin polymerization) or both (cytoskeletal organization). Thus, signaling by NO and ROS may be coordinated through a common control element.
Selvakumar
Balakrishnan
B
Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Hess
Douglas T
DT
Goldschmidt-Clermont
Pascal J
PJ
Stamler
Jonathan S
JS
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011817:Rabbits; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D008024:Ligands; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein