1-Nitrosomelatonin is a spontaneous NO-releasing compound.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamin), the main hormone secreted by the pineal gland in mammals, is nitrosated by nitrite at acidic pH and by NO in the presence of oxygen under neutral conditions. Melatonin is also partly converted to 1-nitrosomelatonin by oxoperoxonitrate (ONOO-, peroxynitrite) in phosphate-buffered solutions at pH 7-10 [Blanchard, B., et al. (2000) Journal of Pineal Research 29, 184-192]. In the present report, we show that 1-nitrosomelatonin in turn behaves as an NO-donor regenerating melatonin. NO-release is evidenced by the formation of nitrite in phosphate-buffered solutions and oxidation of HbO2. No peroxynitrite was formed during that decomposition because serotonin used as a probe was converted only to 4-nitroso-serotonin as expected for a true NO-donor [Blanchard, B., et al. (2001) Free Radical Research, 34, 177-188]. The spontaneous decay of 1-nitrosomelatonin is not affected by GSH and metallic ions but its decomposition is accelerated in acidic pH or in the presence of NADH or ascorbate. Furthermore, melatonin is partially or entirely recovered in the absence or presence of ascorbate, respectively. A homolytic cleavage of 1-nitrosomelatonin is strongly suggested and discussed. Formation of 1-nitrosomelatonin from melatonin and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) followed by its decay into NO demonstrates that melatonin could reduce these RNS to NO.     

Nitroxyl oxidizes NADPH in a superoxide dismutase inhibitable manner

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) convert L-arginine and N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine to nitric oxide (*NO) and/or nitroxyl (NO(-)) in a NADPH-dependent fashion. Subsequently, *NO/superoxide (O(2-)-derived peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) consumes one additional mol NADPH. The related stoichiometry of NO(-) and NADPH is unclear. We here describe that NO(-) also oxidizes NADPH in a concentration-dependent manner. In the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which also converts NO(-) to *NO, nitrite accumulation was almost doubled and no oxidation of NADPH was observed. Nitrate yield from NO(-) was low, arguing against intermediate ONOO(-) formation. Thus, biologically formed NO(-) may function as an effective pro-oxidant unless scavenged by SOD and affect the apparent NADPH stoichiometry of the NOS reaction.     

Production of nitric oxide by human salivary peroxidase and by bovine lactoperoxidase

Peroxidases catalyze the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Two pathways may occur: one entailing the intermediate formation of NO(2) and the other implying the generation of peroxynitrite. The products of nitrite (NO(2) (-) ) oxidation by salivary peroxidase (SPO) and commercial bovine lactoperoxidase (LPO) are studied by utilizing an electrochemical assay that allows the direct, continuous monitoring of NO and/or NO(2) and by HPLC to assess nitrates at the end of the reaction. Dialyzed saliva and LPO, in the presence of H(2) O(2) , convert nitrite into nitrate and form some NO, with a molar ratio of 10(3) . In our experimental conditions, no NO(2) was detectable among the products of nitrite oxidation. SCN(-) inhibits NO formation and so does I(-) , although at higher concentrations. No effects are observed with Cl(-) or Br(-) . We conclude that SPO and LPO transform NO(2) (-) into nitrate-forming small amounts of NO in the presence of H(2) O(2) as an intermediate or a by-product, synthesized through the peroxynitrite pathway.     

The reaction of nitric oxide with ubiquinol: kinetic properties and biological significance

The reaction of nitric oxide (*NO) with ubiquinol-0 and ubiquinol-2, short-chain analogs of coenzyme Q, was examined in anaerobic and aerobic conditions in terms of formation of intermediates and stable molecular products. The chemical reactivity of ubiquinol-0 and ubiquinol-2 towards *NO differed only quantitatively, the reactions of ubiquinol-2 being slightly faster than those of ubiquinol-0. The ubiquinol/*NO reaction entailed oxidation of ubiquinol to ubiquinone and reduction of *NO to NO-, the latter identified by its reaction with metmyoglobin to form nitroxylmyoglobin and indirectly by measurement of nitrous oxide (N2O) by gas chromatography. Both the rate of ubiquinone accumulation and *NO consumption were linearly dependent on ubiquinol and *NO concentrations. The stoichiometry of *NO consumed per either ubiquinone formed or ubiquinol oxidized was 1.86 A 0.34. The reaction of *NO with ubiquinols proceeded with intermediate formation of ubisemiquinones that were detected by direct EPR. The second order rate constants of the reactions of ubiquinol-0 and ubiquinol-2 with *NO were 0.49 and 1.6 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. Studies in aerobic conditions revealed that the reaction of *NO with ubiquinols was associated with O2 consumption. The formation of oxyradicals - identified by spin trapping EPR- during ubiquinol autoxidation was inhibited by *NO, thus indicating that the O2 consumption triggered by *NO could not be directly accounted for in terms of oxyradical formation or H2O2 accumulation. It is suggested that oxyradical formation is inhibited by the rapid removal of superoxide anion by *NO to yield peroxynitrite, which subsequently may be involved in the propagation of ubiquinol oxidation. The biological significance of the reaction of ubiquinols with *NO is discussed in terms of the cellular O2 gradients, the steady-state levels of ubiquinols and *NO, and the distribution of ubiquinone (largely in its reduced form) in biological membranes with emphasis on the inner mitochondrial membrane.     

Mechanistic studies of S-nitrosothiol formation by NO*/O2 and by NO*/methemoglobin

The mechanisms of formation of S-nitrosothiols under physiological conditions and, in particular, of generation of SNO-Hb (the hemoglobin form in which the cysteine residues beta93 are S-nitrosated) are still not completely understood. In this paper, we investigated whether, in the presence of O2, NO* is more efficient to nitrosate protein-bound thiols such as Cysbeta93 or low molecular weight thiols such as glutathione. Our results show that when substoichiometric amounts of NO* are mixed slowly with the protein solution, NO*, O2, and possibly NO2* and/or N2O3 accumulate in hydrophobic pockets of hemoglobin. Since the environment of the cysteine residue beta93 is rather hydrophobic, these conditions facilitate SNO-Hb production. Moreover, we show that S-nitrosation mediated by reaction of NO* with the iron(III) forms of Hb or Mb is significantly more effective when it can take place intramolecularly, as in metHb. Intermolecular reactions lead to lower S-nitrosothiol yields because of the concurring hydrolysis to nitrite.     

DNA damage in arsenite- and cadmium-treated bovine aortic endothelial cells

Reactive oxygen species have been shown to be involved in the mutagenicity, clastogenicity, and apoptosis of mammalian cells treated with arsenic or cadmium. As these endpoints require several hours of cellular processing, it is not clear that reactive oxygen species damage DNA directly or interfere with DNA replication and repair. Using single-cell alkaline electrophoresis, we have detected DNA strand breaks (DSBs) in bovine aortic endothelial cells by a 4-h treatment with sodium arsenite (As) and cadmium chloride (Cd) in sublethal concentrations. As-induced DSBs could be decreased by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors, superoxide scavengers, and peroxynitrite scavengers and could be increased by superoxide generators and NO generators. Treatment with As also increased nitrite production. These results suggest that As-increased NO may react with O2*- to produce peroxynitrite and cause DNA damage. The results showing that Cd increased cellular H2O2 levels and that Cd-induced DSBs could be modulated by various oxidant modulators suggest that Cd may induce DSBs via O2*-, H2O2, and *OH. Nevertheless, the DSBs in both As- and Cd-treated cells seem to come from the excision of oxidized bases such as formamidopyrimidine and 8-oxoguanine, as the Escherichia coli enzyme formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) increased DSBs in cells treated with As, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (a peroxynitrite-generating agent), Cd, or H2O2.     

Catalysis of intermolecular oxygen atom transfer by nitrite dehydrogenase of Nitrobacter agilis

Nitrobacter agilis, which contains a very active nitrite dehydrogenase, was studied in vivo under anaerobic conditions by the 15N NMR technique. When incubated with equimolar 15NO3- and unlabeled nitrite (or 15NO2- and unlabeled nitrate) the bacterium catalyzed an isotope exchange reaction at rates about 10% those observed in the nitrite oxidase assay. When incubated with 18O-labeled 15NO2- and 18O-labeled 15NO3-, the 18O was observed to exchange at similar rates from both species into water. Finally, when incubated with equimolar [18O]nitrate and 15NO2-, intermolecular 18O transfer was observed to result in formation of double labeled nitrate and nitrite at similar rates. 18O was transferred from nitrate to a 15N species or to water at approximately equal rates under the conditions of the experiments. It is argued that the enzyme responsible for these exchange reactions is nitrite dehydrogenase and not nitrate reductase. This work and the related experiments of DiSpirito and Hooper (DiSpirito, A.A., and Hooper, A.B. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10534-10537) represent the first demonstrations of intermolecular oxygen atom transfer among oxotransferases. Mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Nitric oxide decreases the stability of DMPO spin adducts.

The effect nitric oxide (NO*) on the stability of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) adducts has been investigated using EPR spectroscopy. We report that the DMPO/HO* adduct, generated by porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in the presence of H2O2 and DMPO, or by a Fenton system (Fe(II)+H2O2) is degraded in the presence of the NO*-donor, 2-(N,N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide (DEANO) or by bolus addition of an aqueous solution of NO*. A similar effect of DEANO was observed on other DMPO adducts, such as DMPO/*CH3 and DMPO/*CH(CH3)OH, generated in cell-free systems. Measurements of the loss of DMPO/HO* in the presence of DEANO in aerated and oxygen-free buffers showed that in both of these settings the process obeys first-order kinetics and proceeds with similar efficacy. This indicates that direct interaction of the nitroxide with NO*, rather than with NO2* (formed from NO* and O2 in aerated media), is responsible for destruction of the spin adduct. These results suggest that the presence of NO* may substantially affect the quantitative determination of DMPO adducts. We also show that NO2* radicals, generated by a myeloperoxidase/H2O2/nitrite system, also degrade DMPO/HO*. Because DMPO is frequently used to study generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals in biological systems, these observations indicate that extra caution is required when studying generation of these species in the presence of NO* or NO2* radicals.     

Characterization of the Mechanism and Magnitude of Cytoglobin-mediated Nitrite Reduction and Nitric Oxide Generation under Anaerobic Conditions

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a recently discovered cytoplasmic heme-binding globin. Although multiple hemeproteins have been reported to function as nitrite reductases in mammalian cells, it is unknown whether Cygb can also reduce nitrite to nitric oxide (NO). The mechanism, magnitude, and quantitative importance of Cygb-mediated nitrite reduction in tissues have not been reported. To investigate this pathway and its quantitative importance, EPR spectroscopy, spectrophotometric measurements, and chemiluminescence NO analyzer studies were performed. Under anaerobic conditions, mixing nitrite with ferrous-Cygb triggered NO formation that was trapped and detected using EPR spin trapping. Spectrophotometric studies revealed that nitrite binding to ferrous-Cygb is followed by formation of ferric-Cygb and NO. The kinetics and magnitude of Cygb-mediated NO formation were characterized. It was observed that Cygb-mediated NO generation increased linearly with the increase of nitrite concentration under anaerobic conditions. This Cygb-mediated NO production greatly increased with acidosis and near-anoxia as occur in ischemic conditions. With the addition of nitrite, soluble guanylyl cyclase activation was significantly higher in normal smooth muscle cells compared with Cygb knocked down cells with Cygb accounting for ∼40% of the activation in control cells and ∼60% in cells subjected to hypoxia for 48 h. Overall, these studies show that Cygb-mediated nitrite reduction can play an important role in NO generation and soluble guanylyl cyclase activation under hypoxic conditions, with this process regulated by pH, oxygen tension, nitrite concentration, and the redox state of the cells.     

Peroxynitrite reaction with heme proteins.

We have reported that low levels of peroxynitrite (PN) can cause inactivation of the heme-thiolate protein prostacyclin (PGI2)-synthase by nitration of a tyrosine residue. To prove that iron catalysis is involved we studied the interaction of PN with microperoxidase and P450nor, a heme-thiolate protein of known structure. Spectral and kinetic analyses allow to conclude on a ferryl nitrogen dioxide complex as an intermediate which decomposes in the presence of an excess of PN under formation of dioxygen, nitrite, and nitrate. This occurs in a catalytic cycle which was more efficient with P450nor than with microperoxidase. If phenol was added to the reaction mixtures of PN and the ferric complexes the ratio of hydroxylated to nitrated phenols decreased compared to the metal-free system. Phenol competed with the formation of dioxygen indicating that the ferryl intermediate was involved in both pathways. One therefore can postulate that the ferryl complex reacts with phenol to give the phenoxyradical which is nitrated in the presence of nitrogen dioxide but does not give hydroxylated products as with metal-free PN. Alternately, the ferryl nitrogen dioxide complex can oxidize a second PN molecule to the radical, *OONO, which can decompose to dioxygen and NO. The latter forms N2O3, with the remaining *NO2 radical. A third pathway consists in the isomerization to nitrate which also is catalyzed by the heme proteins since the ratio of nitrite/nitrate does not change significantly during the catalytic reaction with excess of PN. Our data explain the mechanism of nitration of PGI2-synthase, suggest a role of P450nor as a PN scavenger, and favor heme-thiolate complexes for trapping PN.     

Antioxidant properties of melatonin: a pulse radiolysis study

Various one-electron oxidants such as OH*, tert-BuO*, CCl3OO*, Br2*- and N3*, generated pulse radiolytically in aqueous solutions at pH 7, were scavenged by melatonin to form two main absorption bands with lambda(max) = 335 nm and 500 nm. The assignment of the spectra and determination of extinction coefficients of the transients have been reported. Rate constants for the formation of these species ranged from 0.6-12.5x10(9) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1). These transients decayed by second order, as observed in the case of Br2*- and N3* radical reactions. Both the NO2* and NO* radicals react with the substrate with k = 0.37x10(7) and 3x10(7) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1), respectively. At pH approximately 2.5, the protonated form of the transient is formed due to the reaction of Br2*- radical with melatonin, pKa ( MelH* <=> Mel* + H+) = 4.7+/-0.1. Reduction potential of the couple (Mel*/MelH), determined both by cyclic voltammetric and pulse-radiolytic techniques, gave a value E(1)7 = 0.95+/-0.02 V vs. NHE. Repair of guanosine radical and regeneration of melatonin radicals by ascorbate and urate ions at pH 7 have been reported. Reactions of the reducing radicals e(aq)- and H* atoms with melatonin have been shown to occur at near diffusion rates.     

Unique oxidative mechanisms for the reactive nitrogen oxide species, nitroxyl anion

The nitroxyl anion (NO-) is a highly reactive molecule that may be involved in pathophysiological actions associated with increased formation of reactive nitrogen oxide species. Angeli's salt (Na2N2O3; AS) is a NO- donor that has been shown to exert marked cytotoxicity. However, its decomposition intermediates have not been well characterized. In this study, the chemical reactivity of AS was examined and compared with that of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and NO/N2O3. Under aerobic conditions, AS and ONOO- exhibited similar and considerably higher affinities for dihydrorhodamine (DHR) than NO/N2O3. Quenching of DHR oxidation by azide and nitrosation of diaminonaphthalene were exclusively observed with NO/N2O3. Additional comparison of ONOO- and AS chemistry demonstrated that ONOO- was a far more potent one-electron oxidant and nitrating agent of hydroxyphenylacetic acid than was AS. However, AS was more effective at hydroxylating benzoic acid than was ONOO-. Taken together, these data indicate that neither NO/N2O3 nor ONOO- is an intermediate of AS decomposition. Evaluation of the stoichiometry of AS decomposition and O2 consumption revealed a 1:1 molar ratio. Indeed, oxidation of DHR mediated by AS proved to be oxygen-dependent. Analysis of the end products of AS decomposition demonstrated formation of NO2- and NO3- in approximately stoichiometric ratios. Several mechanisms are proposed for O2 adduct formation followed by decomposition to NO3- or by oxidation of an HN2O3- molecule to form NO2-. Given that the cytotoxicity of AS is far greater than that of either NO/N2O3 or NO + O2, this study provides important new insights into the implications of the potential endogenous formation of NO- under inflammatory conditions in vivo.     

Reactions of desferrioxamine with peroxynitrite-derived carbonate and nitrogen dioxide radicals

The iron chelating agent desferrioxamine inhibits peroxynitrite-mediated oxidations and attenuates nitric oxide and oxygen radical-dependent oxidative damage both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of protection is independent of iron chelation and has remained elusive over the past decade. Herein, stopped-flow studies revealed that desferrioxamine does not react directly with peroxynitrite. However, addition of peroxynitrite to desferrioxamine in both the absence and the presence of physiological concentrations of CO2 and under excess nitrite led to the formation of a one-electron oxidation product, the desferrioxamine nitroxide radical, consistent with desferrioxamine reacting with the peroxynitrite-derived species carbonate (CO3*-) and nitrogen dioxide (*NO2) radicals. Desferrioxamine inhibited peroxynitrite-dependent free radical-mediated processes, including tyrosine dimerization and nitration, oxyhemoglobin oxidation in the presence of CO2, and peroxynitrite plus carbonate-dependent chemiluminescence. The direct two-electron oxidation of glutathione by peroxynitrite was unaffected by desferrioxamine. The reactions of desferrioxamine with CO3*- and *NO2 were unambiguously confirmed by pulse radiolysis studies, which yielded second-order rate constants of 1.7 x 10(9) and 7.6 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Desferrioxamine also reacts with tyrosyl radicals with k = 6.3 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). However, radical/radical combination reactions between tyrosyl radicals or of tyrosyl radical with *NO2 outcompete the reaction with desferrioxamine and computer-assisted simulations indicate that the inhibition of tyrosine oxidation can be fully explained by scavenging of the peroxynitrite-derived radicals. The results shown herein provide an alternative mechanism to account for some of the biochemical and pharmacological actions of desferrioxamine via reactions with CO3*- and *NO2 radicals.     

Inactivation and nitration of human superoxide dismutase (SOD) by fluxes of nitric oxide and superoxide

Human recombinant MnSOD and CuZnSOD were both inactivated when exposed to simultaneous fluxes of superoxide (JO(2)(*-)) and nitric oxide (J*NO). The inactivation was also observed with varying J*NO/JO(2)(*-) ratios. Protein-derived radicals were detected in both CuZn and MnSOD by immuno-spin trapping. The formation of protein radicals was followed by tyrosine nitration in the case of MnSOD. When MnSOD was exposed to J*NO and JO(2)(*-) in the presence of uric acid, a scavenger of peroxynitrite-derived free radicals, nitration was decreased but inactivation was not prevented. On the other hand, glutathione, known to react with both peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide, totally protected MnSOD from inactivation and nitration on addition of authentic peroxynitrite but, notably, it was only partially inhibitory in the presence of the more biologically relevant J*NO and JO(2)(*-). The data are consistent with the direct reaction of peroxynitrite with the Mn center and a metal-catalyzed nitration of Tyr-34 in MnSOD. In this context, we propose that inactivation is also occurring through a *NO-dependent nitration mechanism. Our results help to rationalize MnSOD tyrosine nitration observed in inflammatory conditions in vivo in the presence of low molecular weight scavengers such as glutathione that otherwise would completely consume nitrogen dioxide and prevent nitration reactions.     

Is N2O3 the main nitrosating intermediate in aerated nitric oxide (NO) solutions in vivo? If so,where, when,and which one?

The widespread opinion that N(2)O(3) as a product of NO oxidation is the only nitros(yl)ating agent under aerobic conditions is based on experiments in homogeneous buffered water solutions. In vivo NO is oxidized in heterogeneous media and this opinion is not correct. The equilibrium in the system being dependent on temperature and DeltaG((sol)) for NO, NO(2), isomers of both N(2)O(3), and N(2)O(4). For polar solvents including water, DeltaG((sol)) for N(2)O(3) is high enough, and a stationary concentration of N(2)O(3) in the mixture with other oxides is sufficient to guarantee the hydrolysis of N(2)O(3) to nitrite. In heterogeneous media, the mixture contains solvates NO(2(sol)), N(2)O(3(sol)), and N(2)O(4(sol)) at stationary nonequilibrium concentrations. As far as DeltaG((sol)) is decreased in heterogeneous mixtures with low polar solvents and/or at increased temperatures, the equilibrium in such a system shifts to NO(2). Although NO(2) is a reactive free radical, it almost does not react with water. In contrast, the reaction with most functional protein groups efficiently proceeds by a radical type with the formation of nitrite and new radicals (X) further stabilized in various forms. Therefore, the ratio of the nitrosylated and nitrated products yields depends on actual concentrations of all NO(x).     

Reaction of superoxide and nitric oxide with peroxynitrite. Implications for peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation reactions in vivo

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)/ONOOH), the product of the diffusion-limited reaction of nitric oxide (*NO) with superoxide (O(-*)(2)), has been implicated as an important mediator of tissue injury during conditions associated with enhanced *NO and O(-*)(2) production. Although several groups of investigators have demonstrated substantial oxidizing and cytotoxic activities of chemically synthesized peroxynitrite, others have proposed that the relative rates of *NO and production may be critical in determining the reactivity of peroxynitrite formed in situ (Miles, A. M., Bohle, D. S., Glassbrenner, P. A., Hansert, B., Wink, D. A., and Grisham, M. B. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 40-47). In the present study, we examined the mechanisms by which excess O(-*)(2) or *NO production inhibits peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation reactions. Peroxynitrite was generated in situ by the co-addition of a chemical source of *NO, spermineNONOate, and an enzymatic source of O(-*)(2), xanthine oxidase, with either hypoxanthine or lumazine as a substrate. We found that the oxidation of the model compound dihydrorhodamine by peroxynitrite occurred via the free radical intermediates OH and NO(2), formed during the spontaneous decomposition of peroxynitrite and not via direct reaction with peroxynitrite. The inhibitory effect of excess O(-*)(2) on the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine could not be ascribed to the accumulation of the peroxynitrite scavenger urate produced from the oxidation of hypoxanthine by xanthine oxidase. A biphasic oxidation profile was also observed upon oxidation of NADH by the simultaneous generation of *NO and O(-*)(2). Conversely, the oxidation of glutathione, which occurs via direct reaction with peroxynitrite, was not affected by excess production of *NO. We conclude that the oxidative processes initiated by the free radical intermediates formed from the decomposition of peroxynitrite are inhibited by excess production of *NO or O(-*)(2), whereas oxidative pathways involving a direct reaction with peroxynitrite are not altered. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.     

Nitrotyrosine, dityrosine, and nitrotryptophan formation from metmyoglobin, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrite

The biological relevance of tyrosine nitration is a subject of much interest, because extensive evidence supports formation of 3-nitrotyrosine in vivo under a variety of different pathological conditions. Several reagents are likely to be responsible for nitration in vivo, among others peroxynitrite and nitrite in the presence of H(2)O(2)/peroxidases. In this work we show that also metmyoglobin and methemoglobin can nitrate free tyrosine in the presence of nitrite and H(2)O(2). The results of these studies are simulated rather well by using a scheme that comprehends all the possible reactions that can take place in the system. Thus, a good understanding of the factors that determine the yields is achieved. Finally, we demonstrate that the system metMb/H(2)O(2)/NO(2)(-) can also lead to the nitration of tryptophan and produces, in particular, 6-, 4-, and 5-nitrotryptophan.     

Hypoxia potentiates nitric oxide-mediated apoptosis in endothelial cells via peroxynitrite-induced activation of mitochondria-dependent and -independent pathways

Nitric oxide (NO*) at low concentrations is cytoprotective for endothelial cells; however, elevated concentrations of NO* (> or =1 micromol/liter), as may be achieved during inflammatory states, can induce apoptosis and cell death. Hypoxia is associated with tissue inflammation and ischemia and, therefore, may modulate the effects of NO* on endothelial function. To examine the influence of hypoxia on NO*-mediated apoptosis, we exposed bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) to (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl) amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (diethylenetriamine NONOate, DETA-NO) (1 mmol/liter) under normoxic or hypoxic conditions (pO2 = 35 mm of Hg) and measured the indices of apoptotic cell death. BAEC treated with DETA-NO under normoxic conditions demonstrated increased levels of histone-associated DNA fragments, which was confirmed by terminal dUTP nick-end labeling assay, and hypoxic conditions augmented this response. To determine whether mitochondrial dysfunction was one mechanism by which NO* initiated apoptosis under hypoxic conditions, we evaluated mitochondrial membrane potential in (Psim). Exposure to DETA-NO resulted in a decrease in Psim and concomitant release of cytochrome c and caspase-9 activation, which were enhanced by hypoxia. By utilizing Rho0 BAEC (Rho0-EC), which lack functional mitochondria, we demonstrated that dissipation of Psim was associated with increased reactive oxygen species generation and peroxynitrite formation. Moreover, in Rho0-EC we identified activation of caspase-8 as part of the mitochondrial-independent pathway of apoptosis. To establish that peroxynitrite mediated mitochondrial damage and apoptosis, we treated BAEC and Rho0-EC with the peroxynitrite scavenger uric acid and found that the indices of apoptosis were decreased significantly. These findings confirm that high flux of NO* under hypoxic conditions promotes cell death via mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial-independent mechanisms by peroxynitrite.