Routes for formation of S-nitrosothiols in blood.

S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) are involved in post-translational modifications of many proteins analogous to protein phosphorylation. In addition, RSNO have many physiological roles similar to nitric oxide ((•)NO), which are presumably involving the release of (•)NO from the RSNO. However, the much longer life span in biological systems for RSNO than (•)NO suggests a dominant role for RSNO in mediating (•)NO bioactivity. RSNO are detected in plasma in low nanomolar levels in healthy human subjects. These RSNO are believed to be redirecting the (•)NO to the vasculature. However, the mechanism for the formation of RSNO in vivo has not been established. We have reviewed the reactions of (•)NO with oxygen, metalloproteins, and free radicals that can lead to the formation of RSNO and have evaluated the potential for each mechanism to provide a source for RSNO in vivo.