The biosynthesis of nitric oxide from L-arginine. Nitric oxide formation features and its functional role in mitochondria

Modern data on biochemical patterns of nitric oxide biosynthesis in mammal cells from l-arginine in normoxic conditions is described. The attention of the authors is given to the results of the recent years on the structure and regulation features isoforms of No-synthase. The emphasis is put on the latest conception of the compartmentalization of certain isoforms of these enzymes in cells and on the possibility of the directed transport of nitric oxide in the vascular wall. The central place in the review is devoted to issues on the endogenous formation of NO in mitochondria and its potential physiological significance. Our own results on the identification of NO in mitochondria of the uterine smooth muscle, biochemical characteristics of this process and NO possible role in Са2+ transport regulation by organelles are presented and discussed.