Functional argument for the existence of an avian nitric oxide synthase in muscle mitochondria: effect of cold acclimation

FEBS Lett. 2011 Jan 3;585(1):173-7. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.11.032. Epub 2010 Nov 21.

Abstract

We report the first evidence of a mitochondrial NO synthase (mtNOS) in bird skeletal muscle. In vitro, mtNOS activity stimulated by L-arginine reduced intermyofibrillar mitochondrial oxygen uptake and ATP synthesis rates, stimulated endogenous H(2)O(2) generation, but had no effect on oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Arginine-induced effects were fully reversed by L-NAME, a known NOS inhibitor. When ducklings were cold exposed for 4 weeks, muscle mitochondria displayed an increased state 3 respiration, a reduced H(2)O(2) generation but no significant alteration in mtNOS activity. We conclude that mtNOS is expressed in avian skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anseriformes / metabolism*
  • Arginine / pharmacology
  • Avian Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Avian Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / enzymology*
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Oxygen Consumption / drug effects
  • Succinic Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Avian Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Arginine
  • Succinic Acid
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester