THE PHYSIOLOGICAL-ROLE OF NITRIC-OXIDE

In the last six years it has become apparent that nitric oxide (NO) ha s a crucial and extensive role in human physiology. It acts as a messe nger molecule effecting muscle relaxation, as a cytotoxic agent in the non-specific immune system, as a carcinogen, and as a neurotransmitte r in the brain and peripheral nervous system. This article explores so me of the chemistry of NO in an attempt to understand how such a modes t molecule can play so many diverse roles.