Description
Nitric oxide synthase, inducible is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NOS2 gene. Nitric oxide (NO) is a messenger molecule with diverse functions throughout the body. In the brain and peripheral nervous system, NO displays many properties of a neurotransmitter; it is implicated in neurotoxicity associated with stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, neural regulation of smooth muscle, including peristalsis, and penile erection. Three different NOS isoforms have been identified which fall into two distinct types, constitutive and inducible. The inducible NOS (iNOS) isoform is expressed in a variety of cell types and tissues in response to inflammatory agents and cytokines. The human iNOS (NOS2) gene is approximately 37 kb in length and consists of 26 exons and 25 introns. NOS2-derived NO is a prerequisite for cytokine signaling and function in innate immunity