Co-regulation of constitutive nitric oxide synthases and NADPH oxidase by the small GTPase Rac

Abstract 

Nitric oxide (NO), generated by NO synthases (NOSs), has multifarious roles in signal transduction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by ubiquitous NADPH oxidases (NOXs), also participate in cellular signaling. However, the coordination of signals conveyed by NO and ROS is poorly understood. We show that the small GTPase Rac, a component of some NOXs, also interacts with and regulates the constitutively-expressed NOSs. Cellular NO and production increase or decrease together following activation or inhibition of Rac, and Rac inhibition reveals transduction mechanisms that depend upon NO (vasodilation), ROS (actin polymerization) or both (cytoskeletal organization). Thus, signaling by NO and ROS may be coordinated through a common control element.

Abbreviations: NO, nitric oxide, NOS, nitric oxide synthase, ROS, reactive oxygen species, NOX, NADPH oxidase, eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, iNOS, induced nitric oxide synthase, nNOS, neauronal nitric oxide synthase

Keywords: Nitric oxide, Nitric oxide synthase, NADPH oxidase, Rac, Small GTPase