Neurogenic no synthase

The neuronal NOSynthase (nNOS) is a soluble enzyme that is consitutively expressed in nitrergicneurons. The NOSynthase is bound to membranes in the cell and can be activated by calcium. Thus, a neurogenic action potential, which arrives at a nerve ending, leads via the Ca2+- influx to the activation of NO synthase and thus to the formation of NO . Neurons with NO synthase are called nitrergic.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly diffusible, short-lived, endogenously formed bioactive molecule. It is found in neurons as well as in endothelial and immune cells, where it acts as a neuromodulator or messenger. Nitric oxide is formed by catalysis of the enzyme nitrogen monoxide synthase (NOS). The NOS (NO synthase) catalyses the reaction of L-arginine to nitrogen monoxide and LCitrulline.