cyclic-gmp and acivicin

Nitric oxide protects cells from oxidative stress through a number of direct scavenging reactions with free radicals but the effects of nitric oxide on the regulation of antioxidant enzymes are only now emerging. Using bovine aortic endothelial cells as a model, we show that nitric oxide, at physiological rates of production (1-3 nM/s), is capable of inducing the synthesis of glutathione through a mechanism involving gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. This novel nitric oxide signalling pathway is cGMP-independent and we hypothesize that it makes an important contribution to the anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant properties of nitric oxide.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Inhibitors; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase; Glutathione; Isoxazoles; Nitric Oxide; Nitroso Compounds; Time Factors