Reactive Nitrogen Species: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Significance in Health and Disease
Publication: Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
Volume 11, Issue Number 3
Abstract
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are various nitric oxide–derived compounds, including nitroxyl anion, nitrosonium cation, higher oxides of nitrogen, S-nitrosothiols, and dinitrosyl iron complexes. RNS have been recognized as playing a crucial role in the physiologic regulation of many, if not all, living cells, such as smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, platelets, and nervous and juxtaglomerular cells. They possess pleiotropic properties on cellular targets after both posttranslational modifications and interactions with reactive oxygen species. Elevated levels of RNS have been implicated in cell injury and death by inducing nitrosative stress. The aim of this comprehensive review is to address the mechanisms of formation and removal of RNS, highlighting their potential cellular targets: lipids, DNA, and proteins. The specific importance of RNS and their paradoxic effects, depending on their local concentration under physiologic conditions, is underscored. An increasing number of compounds that modulate RNS processing or targets are being identified. Such compounds are now undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluations in the treatment of pathologies associated with RNS-induced cellular damage. Future research should help to elucidate the involvement of RNS in the therapeutic effect of drugs used to treat neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
Volume 11 • Issue Number 3 • March 2009
Pages: 669 - 702
PubMed: 19014277
Copyright
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
History
Published in print: March 2009
Published online: 27 January 2009
Published ahead of print: 17 November 2008
Published ahead of production: 20 August 2008
Topics
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Export Citation
Export citation
Select the format you want to export the citations of this publication.
View Options
Get Access
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.⚠ Society Access
If you are a member of a society that has access to this content please log in via your society website and then return to this publication.