Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

Abstract

Mitochondria produce nitric oxide (NO) through a Ca(2+)-sensitive mitochondrial NO synthase (mtNOS). The NO produced by mtNOS regulates mitochondrial oxygen consumption and transmembrane potential via a reversible reaction with cytochrome c oxidase. The reaction of this NO with superoxide anion yields peroxynitrite, which irreversibly modifies susceptible targets within mitochondria and induces oxidative and/or nitrative stress. In this article, we review the current understanding of the roles of mtNOS as a crucial biochemical regulator of mitochondrial functions and attempt to reconcile apparent discrepancies in the literature on mtNOS.