L-arginine signalling potential in the brain: the peripheral gets central.
L-arginine is a basic amino acid that has versatile metabolic roles, being involved in the generation of a wide range of biologically active intermediates such as nitric oxide (NO), polyamines, creatine and L-amino acids [1]. Because the levels of L-arginine reflect a metabolic crossroads, the mechanisms of its synthesis and degradation in peripheral tissues are very well described. However, there is an increasing amount of data also implicating this amino acid as a mediator of central nervous system activities and those are not yet fully understood. Here we shall summarize the tissue-specific pathways controlling L-arginine intracellular and blood levels and also the emerging evidence pointing to a role of this metabolite in the central regulation of diverse physiological processes, as blood pressure control and inflammatory response. As a conclusion we shall discuss the advantages of targeting L-arginine metabolism over other NO donors, as a general strategy to correct NO deficiency related diseases and discuss a few new patents recently deposited which take into account the rational perspective outlined in the present review.
Lameu
Claudiana
C
Center for Applied Toxinology--CAT-CEPID, Instituto Butantan, Av Vital Brazil 1500, CEP 05503-900, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
de Camargo
Antonio C M
AC
Faria
Marcella
M
D026923:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D026923:Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine