Do nitric oxide and cGMP play a role in calcium cycling?

• Published in: Cell Calcium Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 207 - 213
• Main Authors: Milbourne, E.A., Bygrave, F.L.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.09.1995
• Subjects: Animals; Calcium - metabolism; Cyclic GMP - physiology; Ion Transport; Nitric Oxide - physiology; Signal Transduction - physiology; NO; NOS; PLC; IP 3; cGMP; [Ca 2+] i; ER
• ISSN: 0143-4160; 1532-1991
• DOI: 10.1016/0143-4160(95)90065-9

The biological molecule NO and its cyclic nucleotide effector molecule cGMP, are involved in a variety of biological systems. This article reviews evidence supporting a role for these molecules in signal transduction. Over the last 10 years, it has become evident that these molecules are important in Ca 2+ regulation, particularly in excitable cells. In these cells, cGMP-dependent mechanisms appear to both directly and indirectly regulate Ca 2+ transport. Until recently, reports of the actions of cGIVIP in non-excitable cells have been contradictory, presenting a confusing plethora of effects. In these cells, the cGMP-Ca 2+ regulation pathway appears to be concentration-dependent, possibly representing a negative feedback mechanism. Ca 2+ entry appears to be activated when low concentrations of cGMP are present, and inhibited at higher concentrations. The role of cGMIP in Ca 2+ regulation in non-excitable cells has been largely overlooked and further investigation of this issue may provide clues as to the nature of various unknown components that induce Ca 2+ entry into these cells.