Regulatory aspects of mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

ZAOBORNYJ T; VALDEZ LB; BOVERIS A

Proceedings of the Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research

Monduzzi Editore SpA - Medimond Inc.

Lugar: Bologna, Italy; Año: 2003; p. 263 - 268

This work characterizes the biochemical and functional mtNOS activity in relation to its role as a respiration and energy metabolism regulator. The highest mtNOS activity in liver and kidney mitochondrial membranes was obtained at pH 7.4. The study of NO production as a function of L-arginine concentration showed a hyperbolic response. The state 4/state 3 transition regulates mtNOS activity and NO release in intact respiring mitochondria. NO production rates in state 3 were 40-50% lower than in state 4. Study of mtNOS biochemical and functional activity provides valuable information for a better understanding of bioenergetic metabolism and its alteration in pathological situations.