Interactive relations between nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO): heme oxygenase-1/CO pathway is a key modulator in NO-mediated antiapoptosis and anti-inflammation

Methods Enzymol. 2008:441:329-38. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(08)01218-4.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are synthesized from l-arginine and heme by the catalytic reaction of NO synthase (NOS) and heme oxygenase (HO). NO, a highly reactive free radical, plays an important role in the regulation of vascular and immune function, antiapoptosis, and neurotransmission by producing cGMP, nitrosyl iron complexes, and S-nitrosothiols. CO, a more stable molecule, exerts similar biological activities to those of NO by cGMP production, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and nuclear factor-kappaB activation. NO induces the suppression of apoptosis and inflammation in hepatocytes and macrophages by an elevation in HO-1 and CO production, and these effects were not observed in mice lacking HO-1 as well as in cells treated with a HO-1 inhibitor. These evidences indicate that the HO-1/CO pathway is a key player in NO-mediated cytoprotection and anti-inflammation. This chapter reviews new advances in the interactive relations between iNOS/NO and HO-1/CO pathways in the regulation of apoptosis and inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Carbon Monoxide / chemistry
  • Carbon Monoxide / metabolism*
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / chemistry
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / chemistry
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide / chemistry
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Heme Oxygenase-1