Human Nitric Oxide Synthase, Inducible (NOS2) Protein

Background

NOS2, also known as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is an enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide (NO), a key signaling molecule involved in immune defense, inflammation, and vasodilation NOS2 is primarily expressed in macrophages, neutrophils, and other immune cells upon stimulation by pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ, TNF-α, or microbial components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) NOS2-derived NO plays a critical role in host defense by killing pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites, through oxidative stress and inhibition of microbial enzymes Dysregulated NOS2 activity contributes to chronic inflammation, sepsis, and tissue damage observed in diseases such as autoimmune disorders, asthma, and neurodegeneration In cancers, NO produced by NOS2 can have dual effects, promoting tumor growth by inducing angiogenesis and suppressing immune responses or inhibiting tumor progression through cytotoxicity Regulation of NOS2 is of therapeutic interest for modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in infectious diseases, cardiovascular dysfunction, and cancer