Nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) are a family of enzymes catalyzing the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine. NO is an important cellular signaling molecule. It helps modulate vascular tone, insulin secretion, airway tone, and peristalsis, and is involved in angiogenesis and neural development. NOS is known to exist in three isoforms: (a) a soluble constitutively expressed enzyme found in high concentrations in the brain (bNOS, nNOS, or NOS-1), (b) a constitutively expressed endothelial membrane bound enzyme (eNOS or NOS-3), and (c) an inducible enzyme (iNOS or NOS-2) that is associated with the cytotoxic function of macrophages. [1]
Nitric Oxide Synthase (599-613) Blocking Peptide, Bovine Endothelial Cell (Ac-Pro-Tyr-Asn-Ser-Ser-Pro-Arg-Pro-Glu-Gln-His-Lys-Ser-Tyr-Lys-Cys) is a peptide that inhibit the function of NOSs as a result it blocks the production of NO. Because of the involvement of all the three NOS isozymes in various aspects of signal transduction, NOS inhibitors have gained prominence in the management of ischemic reperfusion injury, hypotensive effects of drugs, and inflammatory response to cytokines. [2][3]
References:
1. Achike, F.I., and Kwan, C.Y. 2003. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 30, 605.
2. Chu, C.J., et al. 2000. Clin. Sci. 99, 475.?
3.Mori. M., and Gotoh, T. 2000. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 275, 715.