Nitric Oxide

Question 1

What cells control vascular tone?

Answer 1

Endothelial cells

Question 2

What smooth muscle layer controls constriction/dilation?

Answer 2

Tunica media

Question 3

What is the role of NO?

Answer 3

Dilates blood vessels

Question 4

What enzyme does NO activate in smooth muscle cells?

Answer 4

Soluble guanylate cyclase -> cyclic GMP -> Protein kinase G -> relaxation

Question 5

What does calmodulin activate in endothelial cells?

Answer 5

NO synthase

Question 6

What does NO synthase react with to form NO?

Answer 6

Arginine

Question 7

What are the 6 functions of NO?

Answer 7

Dilates blood vessels
reduces platelet stickiness
reduces monocyte stickiness
reduce SMC proliferation
Reduce release of superoxide radicals
reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol

Question 8

What happens with HIF at hypoxia?

Answer 8

Produces adaptive genes -> new blood vessels, increased vessel diameter, increased blood oxygenation & metabolic enzymes -> increased O2 supply

Question 9

What does NO do to HIF in hypoxia?

Answer 9

NO reduces HIF