Nitric oxide chemistry and cellular signaling

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to mediate a number of different physiolog ical functions within every major organ system. This wide variety of functi onal roles is made all the more remarkable when one considers that NO is a simple diatomic molecule. However, despite the simplicity of the molecule, NO possesses a wide range of chemical reactivity and multiple potential rea ctive targets. It is the variability of NO reactivity, which leads to its c apability to control such a vast range of biological functions. In essence the functionality of NO is controlled by its chemical reactivity. In order to understand this possibility further it is necessary to consider the biol ogically relevant reactions of nitric oxide. J. Cell. Physiol. 187: 277-282 , 2001. (C) 2001 Wiiey-Liss, Inc.