6533b7dbfe1ef96bd1270926

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase

subject

description

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS; also referred to as NOS3 or NOSIII), a low output enzyme is the prototypical isoform being found in endothelial cells. This isoform (like nNOS) synthesizes NO in a short-lasting, pulsatile, Ca++/calmodulin-activated manner. Endothelium-derived NO is a physiologically significant vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation and adhesion. In addition, vascular NO can prevent leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium by down-regulating the leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein complex CD11/CD18. Finally, endothelial NO has also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Therefore, endothelial NO is likely to represent a protective anti-atherogenic principle. eNOS expression has also been demonstrated in several nonendothelial cell types such as neurons of the rat hippocampus and other rat brain regions; some epithelial cells; cardiomyocytes, megacaryocytes, and platelets; T cells; and others (for review see …