Nitric oxide (NO⅐) is known to exert its effects via guanylyl cyclase and cyclic GMP-dependent pathways and by cyclic GMP-independent pathways, including the posttranslational modification of proteins. Much ongoing research is focused on defining the mechanisms of NO⅐-mediated protein modification, the identity and function of the modified proteins, and the significance of these changes in health and disease. S-nitrosation or thionitrite formation has only been found on a limited number of

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... ues in a subset of proteins in in vitro and in vivo studies. Protein S-nitrosation also appears to be reversible. There are several theories about the in vivo S-nitrosating agent, and most suggest a role for oxidation products of NO⅐ in this process. Flux in cellular S-nitrosoprotein pools appears to be regulated by NO⅐ availability and is redox-sensitive. An analysis of S-nitrosation in candidate proteins has clarified the mechanism by which NO⅐ regulates enzymatic and cellular functions. These findings suggest the utility of using proteomic methods to identify unique targets for protein S-nitrosation to understand further the molecular mechanisms of the effects of NO⅐.