Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule with multiple facets and involved in numerous pathological process, including cancer. Among the different pathways where NO has a functionally relevant participation, is the control of mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis. NO is able to inhibit the electron transport chain, mainly at Complex IV, regulating oxygen consumption and ATP generation, but at the same time, can also induce increase in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The presence of reactive species can induce oxidative damage or participate in redox signaling. In this review, we discuss how NO affects mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial biogenesis, and how it influences the development of mitochondrial deficiency and cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Mitochondria in Cancer, edited by Giuseppe Gasparre, Rodrigue Rossignol and Pierre Sonveaux.
•iNOS synthesizes high NO levels for long periods, while constitutive eNOS and nNOS produce lower NO levels for short time.•NO inhibits the respiratory chain at complex IV, I and III•NO induces mitochondrial biogenesis•The biological effects of NO depends on local concentration of NO, source of NO generation, duration of NO exposure, microenvironment (ROS)
