The role of nitric oxide in the neural control of breathing

The control of breathing has been a long examined enigma. Despite the critical biological significance of respiratory control, the framework of the molecular interactions which generate and regulate these incredible phenomena are only beginning to be delineated. Recent advances in the understanding the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a signaling molecule have facilitated our understanding of the high level complexities and multiple interacting pathways in many biological systems including those underlying neural control of ventilation. In this review, we will examine the current understanding of the contribution of NO and NO-related compounds to the neural control of breathing. We will focus our attention on the role played by NO in peripheral chemoreceptor control of ventilation and also explore the contribution of NO-mediated systems in central nervous system pathways underlying the control of ventilation. Additionally, the importance of NO and NO derivatives in synaptic plasticity and adaptive mechanisms to long-term perturbations during development will also be addressed.