REVIEW: Oxidant--Nitric Oxide Signalling Mechanisms in Vascular Tissue

M. S. Wolin^*, C. A. Davidson, P. M. Kaminski, R. P. Fayngersh, and K. M. Mohazzab-H.

Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA; fax: (914) 594-4826

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received April 6, 1998

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Nitric oxide has several signalling mechanisms that can potentially control force generation by vascular smooth muscle. Some of these mechanisms include the stimulation of cGMP production by the soluble heme-containing form of guanylate cyclase (sGC), inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, and the modulation of vasoactive mediator release by the endothelium. Reactive O₂ species (ROS) can also regulate force generation by vascular smooth muscle through mechanisms including the stimulation of production of vasoactive prostaglandins, the stimulation of sGC by catalase-mediated metabolism of H₂O₂ and inhibition of sGC activation by superoxide, the activation of protein kinase C, and the modulation of mediator release from the endothelium. Interactions between NO and ROS signalling mechanisms result in additional processes which modulate vascular force generation. For example, NO-elicited stimulation of sGC can be attenuated by superoxide, and this results in the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO^-). However, high levels of NO result in a ONOO^- and thiol dependent formation of a species which regenerates NO in a time-dependent manner. It appears that NO inhibits catalase through an O₂ and superoxide dependent process which results in inhibition of relaxation mediated by H₂O₂-elicited stimulation of sGC. Furthermore, evidence exists suggesting additional signalling mechanisms resulting from interactions between regulatory systems involving NO and ROS which appear to be important in control of vascular force generation in pathophysiological states.

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KEY WORDS: endothelium-derived factors, guanylate cyclase, mitochondrial respiration, nitric oxide, oxidant signalling, peroxynitrite, prostaglandins, redox, thiol nitrosation, vascular signalling

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