Inducible nitric oxide synthase and its product nitric oxide, a small molecule with complex biological activities.

More and more attention is paid to the radical nitric oxide which is now known to be part of the mammalian physiology and immune system. Nitric oxide is synthesized by one of the most complicated and fascinating enzyme families identified so far. Inducible nitric oxide synthesis after appropriate stimuli has regulatory, cytostatic and/or toxic consequences and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of several diseases.