Nitric Oxide Receptors: Difference between revisions
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Nitric oxide receptors are intracellular - the receptors are in the nucleus of the target cell. When a ligand, nitric oxide, binds to the receptor it causes a conformational change. This initiates a secondary messenger pathway. | Nitric oxide [[Receptors|receptors]] are [[intracellular|intracellular]] - the receptors are in the nucleus of the target cell. When a [[Ligand|ligand]], nitric oxide, binds to the receptor it causes a conformational change. This initiates a [[secondary messenger pathway|secondary messenger pathway]]. | ||
Process | = Process = | ||
1. Nervous stimulation ie an action potential causes acetyl choline to be release at a synapse. | 1. Nervous stimulation ie an [[Action_potential|action potential]] causes [[Acetylcholine|acetyl choline]] to be release at a [[Synaptic_cleft|synapse]]. | ||
2. At a synapse with an endothelial cell, acetyl choline causes an influx of calcium ions into the cell. | 2. At a synapse with an [[endothelial cell|endothelial cell]], acetyl choline causes an influx of calcium ions into the cell. | ||
3. Calcium ions activate the enzyme nitric oxide synthase to turn arginine into nitric acid. | 3. Calcium ions activate the [[Enzyme|enzyme]] nitric oxide synthase to turn arginine into nitric acid.<ref>Alberts et al, (2008) Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Science: New York, p888</ref> | ||
4. Nitric acid diffuses out of the cell and into the target cell containing the nitric oxide receptor. | 4. Nitric acid [[diffusion|diffuses]] out of the cell and into the target cell containing the nitric oxide receptor. | ||
5. Nitric oxide binds to iron in the active site of the enzyme guanylyl cyclase, stimulating the production of cyclic GMP using GTP as an energy source. | 5. Nitric oxide binds to iron in the active site of the enzyme guanylyl cyclase, stimulating the production of [[cyclic GMP|cyclic GMP]] using [[GTP|GTP]] as an energy source. | ||
6. cGMP activates secondary messenger pathways which cause the rapid relaxation of smooth muscle cell. | 6. cGMP activates secondary messenger pathways which cause the rapid relaxation of smooth muscle cell. | ||
Nitric Oxide | = Nitric Oxide = | ||
Small, hydrophobic molecule that can diffuse through the cell membrane. It only acts locally as it has a short half-life of 5-10 seconds. | Small, [[Hydrophobic|hydrophobic]] molecule that can diffuse through the cell membrane. It only acts locally as it has a short [[Half_life|half-life]] of 5-10 seconds. | ||
Nitric oxide is important as it signals blood vessels to dilate by relaxing smooth muscle cells enhancing the blood flow through the vessels. | Nitric oxide is important as it signals blood vessels to [[dilate|dilate]] by relaxing smooth muscle cells enhancing the blood flow through the vessels. | ||
Revision as of 16:15, 22 November 2011
Nitric oxide receptors are intracellular - the receptors are in the nucleus of the target cell. When a ligand, nitric oxide, binds to the receptor it causes a conformational change. This initiates a secondary messenger pathway.
Process
1. Nervous stimulation ie an action potential causes acetyl choline to be release at a synapse.
2. At a synapse with an endothelial cell, acetyl choline causes an influx of calcium ions into the cell.
3. Calcium ions activate the enzyme nitric oxide synthase to turn arginine into nitric acid.[1]
4. Nitric acid diffuses out of the cell and into the target cell containing the nitric oxide receptor.
5. Nitric oxide binds to iron in the active site of the enzyme guanylyl cyclase, stimulating the production of cyclic GMP using GTP as an energy source.
6. cGMP activates secondary messenger pathways which cause the rapid relaxation of smooth muscle cell.
Nitric Oxide
Small, hydrophobic molecule that can diffuse through the cell membrane. It only acts locally as it has a short half-life of 5-10 seconds.
Nitric oxide is important as it signals blood vessels to dilate by relaxing smooth muscle cells enhancing the blood flow through the vessels.
- ↑ Alberts et al, (2008) Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Science: New York, p888