Nitric oxide receptor (soluble guanylate cyclase) (sGC)

Nitric oxide activity is not a specific molecular target but refers to the signaling actions of the small gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). NO is an endogenously-produced free radical synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases (NOS): neuronal NOS (nNOS or NOS1), endothelial NOS (eNOS or NOS3), and inducible NOS (iNOS or NOS2)[2][3][6]. The primary and canonical receptor for NO is soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), a cytosolic enzyme/receptor that, upon binding NO, catalyzes the conversion of GTP to cyclic GMP (cGMP)[3][7][8]. This cGMP acts as a second messenger to mediate smooth muscle relaxation (vasodilation), neurotransmission, immune cell modulation, and a range of additional cellular effects[2][3][4][6]. Nitric oxide signaling and related pharmacology play central roles in the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and immune regulation, with disrupted NO signaling implicated in diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, septic shock, diabetes, and neurodegeneration[3][4][5][6]. Pharmaceutical agents such as organic nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin), direct NO donors, and sGC stimulators/activators modulate this pathway therapeutically[6][7].

Other names

soluble guanylyl cyclaseNO receptorsGCguanylate cyclase

Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide increases intracellular cGMP, leading to activation of protein kinase G and downstream effects such as smooth muscle relaxation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and modulation of neuronal signaling