Carbon Monoxide and Nitric Oxide as Examples of the Youngest Class of Transmitters

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 2;22(11):6029. doi: 10.3390/ijms22116029.

Abstract

The year 2021 is the 100th anniversary of the confirmation of the neurotransmission phenomenon by Otto Loewi. Over the course of the hundred years, about 100 neurotransmitters belonging to many chemical groups have been discovered. In order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the confirmation of neurotransmitters, we present an overview of the first two endogenous gaseous transmitters i.e., nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide, which are often termed as gasotransmitters.

Keywords: carbon monoxide (CO); neurotransmitters; nitric oxide (NO).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Monoxide / metabolism*
  • Gases / chemistry
  • Gases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / chemistry
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / classification
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / genetics*
  • Nitric Oxide / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Gases
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Carbon Monoxide