Nitric oxide acts as an antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species.

Nitric oxide acts as an antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not sure
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

Nitric oxide is part of the innate immune arsenal as a reactive nitrogen species. Immune cells such as macrophages produce NO in response to microbial signals through inducible nitric oxide synthase. NO is a small, diffusible radical that can directly nitrosylate and disrupt bacterial proteins, but it also rapidly reacts with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant that damages DNA, lipids, and proteins. This nitrosative stress helps suppress or kill a wide range of pathogens, making nitric oxide a classic example of an antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species.

Nitric oxide is part of the innate immune arsenal as a reactive nitrogen species. Immune cells such as macrophages produce NO in response to microbial signals through inducible nitric oxide synthase. NO is a small, diffusible radical that can directly nitrosylate and disrupt bacterial proteins, but it also rapidly reacts with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, a potent oxidant that damages DNA, lipids, and proteins. This nitrosative stress helps suppress or kill a wide range of pathogens, making nitric oxide a classic example of an antimicrobial reactive nitrogen species.