Neurotransmitters and other chemical signalling agents
| NITRIC OXIDE (NO; formerly EDRF) | |
|---|---|
| Precursors: | L-arginine |
| Synthesising enzymes: | NO synthase |
| Metabolising enzymes: | none: diffusion and spontaneous breakdown |
| Metabolite: | NO(2)-, NO(3)- |
| NO has no conventional receptor, but it activates guanylate cyclase directly. It can be generated by glyceryl trinitrate or sodium nitroprusside. The synthetic enzyme can be inhibited by L-NMMA and L-NAME. Three NO synthases have been cloned, of which one (in macrophages) is inducible, and two (in brain and endothelium) are constitutive. | |
Reviews
Moncada, S., Palmer, R.M.J. and Higgs, E.A. (1991) Pharmacol. Revs. 43,
109-142
McCall, T. and Vallance, P. (1992) Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 13, 1-6.
Noradrenaline and Adrenaline
5-Hydroxytryptamine
/ Serotonin
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