Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and HIF-1alpha protein are essential factors for nitric oxide-dependent accumulation of p53 in THP-1 human myeloid macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive secondary mediator, which has been found to participate in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis in myeloid macrophages, the key effectors of inflammatory and innate immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms of nitric oxide-induced death of myeloid macrophages are not well understood. In this study we have found that NO derived from S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) activates ASK1 in THP-1 human myeloid macrophages in a concentration and time-dependent manner.