Nitric oxide molecular targets (NO targets)

Nitric oxide (NO) molecular targets encompass a diverse group of proteins and enzymes that mediate the physiological and pathological effects of the gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide. The primary and most well-characterized target is soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a heme-containing enzyme that, upon NO binding, catalyzes the conversion of GTP to cGMP (PMID: 15591297). This signaling cascade is essential for triggering smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation, and the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Beyond sGC, NO interacts with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase to reversibly inhibit cellular respiration, thereby regulating metabolic oxygen consumption (PMID: 11114884). NO also mediates signaling through S-nitrosylation, a post-translational modification where NO attaches to cysteine thiols to modulate the function of various ion channels and metabolic enzymes (PMID: 15464718). In clinical practice, these targets are exploited using NO donors like nitroglycerin for angina or sGC stimulators like riociguat for pulmonary hypertension (StatPearls: Nitroglycerin). Dysregulation of these molecular targets is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction, and septic shock. However, therapeutic targeting must be carefully managed to avoid safety issues such as severe hypotension or the formation of toxic peroxynitrite (PMID: 10617108).

Other names

Soluble guanylate cyclaseNO receptorsHeme-containing proteinsS-nitrosylation targetsNitric oxide signaling pathway

Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels and post-translational S-nitrosylation of cysteine residues on various proteins.