Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase: Prototype for Pulsed Enzymology
Department
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2008
Abstract
The established paradigm in understanding and describing enzyme activity uses formalisms based on steady-state assumptions, including Michaelis-Menten and King-Altman approaches. These are appropriate for enzymes operating under steady-state conditions. Signal generating enzymes transfer information, rather than material. Because the information capacity of a signal channel depends on frequency, steady-state descriptions may not be appropriate. Recently, Stuehr and coworkers described a novel product inhibition mechanism for NO synthases. Simulations presented here suggest that at physiological temperatures neuronal nitric oxide synthase produces sharp pulses of NO, consistent with its signaling function. These temporal pulses greatly restrict the effective spatial range of NO signaling.
Journal Title
FEBS Letters
Journal ISSN
1873-3468
Volume
582
Issue
10
First Page
1395
Last Page
1399
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/j.febslet.2008.03.051