Novel effects of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO), a simple free radical gas, elicits a surprisingly wide r ange of physiological and pathophysiological effects. NO interacts with sol uble guanylate cyclase to evoke many of these effects. However, NO can also interact with molecular oxygen and superoxide radicals to produce reactive nitrogen species that can modify a number of macromolecules including prot eins, lipids, and nucleic acids. NO can also interact directly with transit ion metals. Here, we have reviewed the non-3',5'-cyclic-guanosine-monophosp hate-mediated effects of NO including modifications of proteins, lipids, an d nucleic acids.