Background
What's New?
In 1992, nitric oxide was named Science magazine's molecule of the year due to its vital signaling roles in the nervous system, circulatory system, immune system, respiratory system, and reproductive system.
In 1994, it was discovered that nitric oxide reversibly inhibits mitochondrial respiration via binding to cytochrome c oxidase. Since this discovery, much work has been done to characterize the interactions of NO and CCO. The new mechanisms for NO inhibition recently proposed by Mason et. al (2006) better illuminates these interactions and accounts for NO's ability to regulate mitochondrial function throughout the wide range of normal physiological oxygen tensions and oxygen consumption rates.
The results of Mason et. al provide information that may lead to new treatments for diseases in which NO plays a role in the pathogenesis, such as sepsis. Selective inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase are one example of a potential treatment for septic patients.
In the near future, research will undoubtedly uncover new details of the mechanisms by which nitric oxide regulates mitochondrial function.