On the mechanism of the ascorbic acid-induced release of nitric oxide from N-nitrosated tryptophan derivatives: scavenging of NO by ascorbyl radicals.

During the past years, there has been increasing interest in endogenous nitric oxide storage compounds. Recently, we briefly reported on the ascorbate-dependent release of nitric oxide ((.)NO) from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives.

Catecholamine-induced release of nitric oxide from N-nitrosotryptophan derivatives: a non-enzymatic method for catecholamine oxidation.

In recent years, interest in the physiological functions of S-nitrosothiols has strongly increased owing to the potential of these compounds to release nitric oxide. In contrast, little is known about similar functions of N-nitrosated (N-terminal-blocked) tryptophan derivatives, which can be also formed at physiological pH. Utilizing N-acetyl-N-nitrosotryptophan (NANT) and N-nitrosomelatonin (NOMela) as model compounds, we have studied their reaction with catechol and catecholamines such as epinephrine and dopamine.