BH2 may compete with BH4 to bind eNOS, uncoupling eNOS leading to the formation of superoxide rather than nitric oxide. BH2, the oxidised form of BH4, cannot contribute electrons to heme in the reductase domain of eNOS, thereby uncoupling it from arginine oxidation and producing superoxide from oxygen instead (Vasquez-Vivar et al. 2002).
Kalyanaraman, B, Joseph, J, Whitsett, J, Vásquez-Vivar, J, Martasek, P
superoxide-generating NAD(P)H oxidase activity of p-S1177-eNOS:CaM:HSP90:p-AKT1:BH2 [plasma membrane]
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