Progress in mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intra- and intercellular messenger with a broad spectrumof activities in the central nervous system, cardiovascular and immune systems. Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mt-NOS), which might be a new form of NOS in mitochondria, has been discovered to be active in the regulation ofmitochondrial respiration, energy metabolism and many pathophysiological processes.In this review, the location, properties, physiological and pathophysiological significance of mtNOS were summarized.