The molecular and chemical properties of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) have made it a key mediator in many physiological functions and signaling transduction. The NOS monomer is inactive, but the dimer form is active. There are three forms of NOS, which are neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS), and endothelial (eNOS) nitric oxide synthase. nNOS regulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis which is the mechanism used mostly by neurons to produce NO. nNOS expression and activation is regulated by some important signaling proteins, such as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB), calmodulin (CaM), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90)/HSP70. nNOS-derived NO has been implicated in modulating many physiological functions, such as synaptic plasticity, learning, memory, neurogenesis, etc. In this review, we have summarized recent studies that have characterized structural features, subcellular localization, and factors that regulate nNOS function. Finally, we have discussed the role of nNOS in the developing brain under a wide range of physiological conditions, especially long-term potentiation and depression.

中文翻译：

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神经元一氧化氮合酶的神经生理学意义。

神经元一氧化氮合酶 (nNOS) 的分子和化学特性使其成为许多生理功能和信号转导的关键介质。NOS 单体是无活性的，但二聚体形式是有活性的。NOS 有三种形式，即神经元 (nNOS)、诱导型 (iNOS) 和内皮型 (eNOS) 一氧化氮合酶。nNOS 调节一氧化氮 (NO) 合成，这是神经元主要用于产生 NO 的机制。nNOS 的表达和激活受一些重要的信号蛋白调节，如环磷酸腺苷 (cAMP) 反应元件结合蛋白 (CREB)、钙调蛋白 (CaM)、热休克蛋白 90 (HSP90)/HSP70。nNOS 衍生的 NO 与调节许多生理功能有关，例如突触可塑性、学习、记忆、神经发生等。在这篇综述中，我们总结了最近的研究，这些研究具有结构特征、亚细胞定位和调节 nNOS 功能的因素。最后，我们讨论了 nNOS 在各种生理条件下，尤其是长时程增强和抑郁的大脑发育中的作用。