Cloning and characterization of inducible nitric oxide synthase from mouse macrophages

Science. 1992 Apr 10;256(5054):225-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1373522.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) conveys a variety of messages between cells, including signals for vasorelaxation, neurotransmission, and cytotoxicity. In some endothelial cells and neurons, a constitutive NO synthase is activated transiently by agonists that elevate intracellular calcium concentrations and promote the binding of calmodulin. In contrast, in macrophages, NO synthase activity appears slowly after exposure of the cells to cytokines and bacterial products, is sustained, and functions independently of calcium and calmodulin. A monospecific antibody was used to clone complementary DNA that encoded two isoforms of NO synthase from immunologically activated mouse macrophages. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to confirm most of the amino acid sequence. Macrophage NO synthase differs extensively from cerebellar NO synthase. The macrophage enzyme is immunologically induced at the transcriptional level and closely resembles the enzyme in cytokine-treated tumor cells and inflammatory neutrophils.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / biosynthesis
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Codon
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Isoenzymes / biosynthesis
  • Isoenzymes / genetics*
  • Kinetics
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / enzymology*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Poly A / genetics
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Rats
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Codon
  • Isoenzymes
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • oligo (dT)
  • Poly A
  • RNA
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases