title: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the microcirculation.
abstract: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, NOS3) is responsible for producing nitric oxide (NO)--a key molecule that can directly (or indirectly) act as a vasodilator and anti-inflammatory mediator. In this review, we examine the structural effects of regulation of the eNOS enzyme, including post-translational modifications and subcellular localization. After production, NO diffuses to surrounding cells with a variety of effects. We focus on the physiological role of NO and NO-derived molecules, including microvascular effects on vessel tone and immune response. Regulation of eNOS and NO action is complicated; we address endogenous and exogenous mechanisms of NO regulation with a discussion of pharmacological agents used in clinical and laboratory settings and a proposed role for eNOS in circulating red blood cells.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.|Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.|Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: T C Stevenson
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Begandt
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.|Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biwer
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.|Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Columbus
authors.affiliation: Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. brant@virginia.edu.|Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA. brant@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Brant E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Isakson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
keywords: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; Endothelium; Microcirculation; Nitric oxide