Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase and its role in the mechanisms of cell adaptation to hypoxia

Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS) actively participates in mechanisms of regulation of cell adaptation to extreme factors. It is closely interacted with other mitochondrial regulatory factors and is involved in adaptation reactions of cells to hypoxia, ischemia and other pathogenic action. Analysis of the role of mtNOS in cell functioning in hypoxia condition and its influence on apoptosis is presented in the article. Complex mechanism of cell adaptation with participation of mitochondrial nitric oxide (NO) is considered. Mitochondrial NO is a modulator of cell respiration, synthesis of ATP, activity of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels, mitochondrial megapore and the specific protein factor to hypoxia adaptation. The possibility of pharmacological regulation of mtNOS activity is discussed. This approach seems to be promising for searching of new drugs for the pharmacotherapy of diseases with hypoxia and ischemia in their pathogenesis. There is possible to regulate cell homeostasis, for example, resistance to hypoxia by modulating the activity of mtNOS and synthesis of mitochondrial NO.