Moduls kor nitric oxidk synthase

The three-electron oxidation on N-hydroxyarginine to eitrulline and NO by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the crucial, terminal process in the biogemc formation of NO. CoiHiary to oilier well characterized reactions of csuvhronie P450-typc enzymes, no working model for this NOS reaction has been demonstrated in a model system. Knowledge of the NOS reaction mechanism would greatK benefit the rational design of the NOS inhibitors. This lecture will describe an NOS model system which has been shown to mimic several important aspects of this interesting reaction. Mechanistic studies including ¹H NMR and ¹⁸O-labeling experiments support a radical reaction pathway.