Is nitric oxide the retrograde messenger

Journal Article · Fri Nov 29 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5814598

Nitric oxide is one of the more bizarre messenger molecules used by cells. Dissolved in the aqueous cellular fluids, it slips right through membranes that would contain other molecules and is so reactive that it disappears within moments of its production. Yet it seems to play an important role in many parts of the body, including the brain. Four years ago it was shown to trigger blood vessel relaxation, and its discovery in the brain the following year left neuroscientists speculating about a number of roles it may play there. Now, in a collection of data comes evidence for a particularly exciting role: nitric oxide may be a key chemical player in the storage of memories in the brain.

• OSTI ID: 5814598
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 254:5036; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
NITRIC OXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BRAIN
CELL MEMBRANES
LEARNING
METABOLISM
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHALCOGENIDES
MEMBRANES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology