CiteULike: NO Says Yes to Mitochondria

Small amounts of NO stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis and boost the supply of oxygen and respiratory substrates to mitochondria. In contrast, high amounts of NO produced by iNOS block mitochondrial respiration, and can be cytotoxic. Cold exposure results in noradrenaline release by sympathetic nerves, which elevates intracellular calcium ions and cAMP (via b3-adrenergic receptors) in brown fat adipocytes. This increase induces NO production by eNOS, which activates cGMP production from soluble guanylate cyclase. Expression of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1 is enhanced by cGMP, resulting in increased production of NRF-1 and mtTFA, which stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Vasodilation of blood vessels (due to the action of NO on vascular smooth muscle) results in an increased supply of oxygen and respiratory substrates to mitochondria. Inflammation enhances iNOS expression, resulting in elevated production of NO, which directly blocks mitochondrial respiration and energy production.

CiteULike: NO Says Yes to Mitochondria: "Brown, G. C. (2003). No says yes to mitochondria. Science, 299(5608)."