Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, highly reactive, diffusible free radical which has been implicated in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. It has either pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic effects on cells, depending upon a host of factors. This review outlines some of the regulatory molecules and organelles involved in the apoptotic pathways that can be influenced by the presence of NO, including p53, Bcl-2, caspases, mitochondria, and heat shock proteins. The effects of NO on the apoptosis of tumour cells are also examined.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis*
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Caspases / metabolism
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Cell Proliferation
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Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
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Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
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Humans
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Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
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Mitochondria / metabolism
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Neoplasms / blood supply
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Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Neoplasms / pathology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
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Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
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Signal Transduction*
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
Substances
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Heat-Shock Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
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Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
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Nitric Oxide
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Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Caspases
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Matrix Metalloproteinases