A gentle introduction to gasotransmitters with special reference to nitric oxide: biological and chemical implications

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are gaseous molecules of major impact in biology. Despite their toxicity, these molecules have profound effects on mammalian physiology and major implications in therapeutics. At tiny concentrations in human biology, they play key signaling and regulatory functions and hence are now labeled as gasotransmitters. In this literature survey, an introduction to gasotransmitters in relevance with NO, CO and H2S has been primarily focused. A special attention has been given to the conjoint physiological, pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of NO in this work. In addition to the aforementioned elements of the investigation being reported, this report gives a detailed account of some of the recent advancements covering the NO release from both the nitro as well as nitroso compounds. The importance of the metallic center on the eve of producing the reduction center on NO and to develop photolabile properties have been elaborated within the effect of a few examples of metallic centers. Also, theoretical investigations that have been reported in the recent past and some other current theories pertaining to NO chemistry have been enlightened in this review. From the overall study, it is eminent that a number of facts are yet to be explored in context with NO for deeper mechanistic insights, model design for these molecules, other key roles and the search to find the best fit formalism in theoretical chemistry.