Fortschritte der Chemie organischer Naturstoffe / Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products

In order to make further progress in elucidating the mechanism of NOS catalysis it will be essential to throw light on the interaction between the enzyme and its substrate. An understanding of the catalytic site will also assist the development of therapeutically important NOS inhibitors. In particular. it will be useful to uncover any differences that exist between the substrate binding sites of the three NOS isozymes which might be exploited for the development of isoform selective NOS inhibitors. A comparison of NOS to other Arg-binding proteins has shown no significant sequence homology (159). Moreover, the lack of a 3D structure and absence of significant sequence homology between the NOS oxygenase domain and known cytochromes P450 has made it difficult to identify residues and construct a model of the distal heme pocket responsible for substrate binding. However, a number of groups are currently working towards crystallisation of the separate NOS reductase and oxygenase domains of the three isoforms for X-ray diffraction studies; the first X-ray structure is likely to be forthcoming within a matter of months. * The results of these studies are expected to resolve many of the uncertainties surrounding the structure of the NOS catalytic site. Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of CPR from rat liver has already been reported by MASTERS et al. (524) and the future emergence of a detailed structure for this protein should throw light on the structure and function of the NOS reductase domain.

Klappentext

The volumes of this classic series, now referred to simply as "Zechmeister" after its founder, L. Zechmeister, have appeared under the Springer Imprint ever since the series' inauguration in 1938. The volumes contain contributions on various topics related to the origin, distribution, chemistry, synthesis, biochemistry, function or use of various classes of naturally occurring substances ranging from small molecules to biopolymers. Each contribution is written by a recognized authority in his field and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic in question. Addressed to biologists, technologists, and chemists alike, the series can be used by the expert as a source of information and literature citations and by the non-expert as a means of orientation in a rapidly developing discipline.

Inhalt
Nitric Oxide: Physiological Roles, Biosynthesis and Medical Uses.- List of Abbreviations and Acronyms.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Discovery in the Vasculature.- 3. Platelet Aggregation.- 4. NO and the Immune System.- 5. NO and the Nervous System.- 6. S-Nitrosothiols.- 7. NO Activity in the Mammalian Eye.- 8. The NO Biosynthetic Pathway.- 9. Mechanism of the Nitric Oxide Synthase-Catalysed Reaction.- 10. Nitric Oxide Synthase Structure.- 11. Clinical Uses of NO and Its Inhibitors.- 12. Addendum.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Author Index.