Signaling-mediated functional activation of inducible nitric-oxide synthase and its role in stimulating platelet activation.

ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide (NO) is a short lived secondary messenger, synthesized by nitric-oxide synthases (NOS). It is believed that the activity of inducible NOS (iNOS) is regulated primarily at the transcription level by inducing expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, which then continuously produces NO, until its degradation. Platelets do not have the nuclear transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the iNOS gene and are believed to generate NO in response to agonist stimulation via endothelial NOS (eNOS). However, here we show that agonist-induced NO production is only partially eNOS-dependent and is also mediated by iNOS. Platelet agonist-induced NO production is significantly reduced in iNOS-knockout platelets. Platelet NO production occurs within seconds after agonist addition and is not accompan

SUBMITTER: Marjanovic JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2570888 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature