ABSTRACT
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) is the NOS isoform responsible for the generation of nitric oxide (NO) from the endothelium of the vascular wall. eNOS-derived NO participates in the regulation of blood pressure, maintenance of a non-thrombogenic endothelium, and inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. eNOS activity is tightly controlled by numerous regulators, indicating that a balance in NO levels is needed to maintain vascular homeostasis. This chapter will deal with the molecular mechanisms that regulate eNOS activity and thus control the extent of NO released from the endothelium.
